Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos
In one of the beautiful upsets of the season, the Arlington Renegades are transferring on to the XFL Championship Recreation.
The Renegades took down the Houston Roughnecks, the top-seeded crew within the South Division, 26-11 on Saturday.
Not solely did the Renegades enter the postseason as the one crew with a shedding report at 4-6, however Roughnecks additionally dominated them of their two conferences throughout the common season.
The 2 groups met final week for the ultimate sport of the common season, and Houston blew out its in-state rivals, 25-9.
But it surely’s extraordinarily exhausting to beat a crew thrice in a 12 months, which the Renegades solely confirmed Saturday.
Led by legendary school coach Bob Stoops, Arlington had gamers everywhere in the roster make a huge effect within the win, however none greater than the duo of quarterback Luis Perez and receiver JaVonta Payton.
Perez threw for a game-high 289 yards to go together with three touchdowns and no interceptions whereas finishing 19 of his 27 passes. Payton was benefactor of a handful of these passes, ending with 121 yards and two scores.
Stoops’ protection got here up large as properly, holding an explosive Houston offense to solely 11 factors. It was beforehand held to underneath 20 factors solely thrice throughout the common season.
Twitter was singing Stoops’ praises following the win.
Erik “T-Bo” Thibault @ErikThibault
Bob Stoops masterclass within the first half #XFL2023
XFL Heart @XFLCenter
The 4-6 #Renegades defeat the 7-3 #Roughnecks within the #XFL South Championship, 26-11.
Though no person anticipated this to occur, you’ll be able to’t take away from the ABSOLUTE CLINIC that Bob Stoops’ squad placed on in all three phases tonight.#ARLvsHOU | #XFL2023
mr. pov 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧🇪🇺 @mrpovNA
Gotta give it to the @XFLRenegades. 👏👏
third sport vs. one another and we’re seeing why Bob Stoops is a superb soccer coach. The group—what a pleasant rebound and energy to make the playoffs, win towards a SB profitable coach as we speak and play for the #XFL Championship.
An enormous win!
Cason @ousoonerfan
Renegades are about to go to the XFL Championship!!! Strategy to go @CoachBobStoops
Ryan Abernathy @absonjourney
Massive Recreation Bob is within the @XFL2023 #Renegades
Matt Wilson 🌵 @TheWolf6674
They do not name him Massive Recreation Bob for nothing! Congrats to my man Coach Stoops and our hometown @XFLRenegades on the South Division Championship!!!! pic.twitter.com/Q9lev8HT6u
The Renegades profitable the championship within the revamped league’s first season could be an unbelievable storyline contemplating how far they’ve come.
They’re set to face the winner of Sunday’s sport between the DC Defenders and Seattle Sea Dragons, each of whom have been one of the best groups within the XFL for a lot of the 12 months.
