Showboats Fall to Renegades, 47-23

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 11, 2024) – The Arlington Renegades (1-6) took advantage of an early interception to jump on the Memphis Showboats (1-6) Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. The Renegades used that early momentum to continue pulling away from the Showboats for a 47-23 victory.

Arlington had already jumped out to a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. Memphis was looking to get some momentum and went for a deep shot down the left sideline. But quarterback Troy Williams’ pass was intercepted by Tenny Adewusi at the Arlington 29-yard line. Adewusi returned it 47 yards to the Memphis 24-yard line.

Two plays later, DeVeon Smith powered into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was successful and Arlington led 22-3 with 11:50 left in the first half.

Memphis finally answered with 7:01 remaining in the second quarter. Williams hooked up with wide receiver Daewood Davis for a 14-yard touchdown to pull within 13 points, 22-9. The Showboats defense provided a stop on the ensuing possession, but Memphis’ next drive stalled on a failed fourth-down conversion at the Arlington 31-yard line. The Renegades then added a field goal on the final play of the first half to take a 25-9 edge at the intermission.

It was more of the same to start the third quarter. Memphis drove to the Arlington 30-yard line. But the Showboats were stopped on fourth down. The Renegades then delivered the knockout blow, going 73 yards in four plays. Smith capped the drive with his second 1-yard TD plunge to put Arlington on top 31-9. The Renegades went on top 39-9 on a Perez 33-yard scoring strike to JaVonta Payton and a two-point conversion. 

Memphis finally got on the scoreboard again late in the third quarter when Williams scrambled for a 15-yard TD. The two-point conversion pass from Case Cookus, who took over for Williams after an injury on the touchdown run, made it 39-17 going into the final frame.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter to account for the final score.

Williams finished 14-of-21 passing for 127 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Cookus was 11-of-17 for 103 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception in relief. Williams led the Showboats in rushing with 37 yards on six carries. Davis hauled in seven receptions for 83 yards and a score, while Vinny Papale caught seven for 55 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Lamont McPhatter paced Memphis with eight total tackles

Smith rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries with two TDs, while Perez was 27-of-32 for 296 yards and three scores to lead the Renegades offense. Sal Cannella hauled in nine receptions for 72 yards and two TDs for Arlington. Ajene Harris tallied eight tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup for the Renegades.