Special teams key to Battlehawks' success

Throughout the UFL season, St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht has emphasized the importance of having an elite special teams unit.

“We preach it every day,” said Becht earlier in the season. “We want to be the best special teams unit in the league. I feel like we have an elite special teams unit.”

It was then fitting that at the end of the regular season. Chris Garrett was named the league’s special teams player of the year.

Garrett is an example of special teams being the place where fringe players can find a role and thrive in it. He originally didn’t make the initial roster out of training camp but when he was brought back into the fold, capitalized on the opportunity by blocking two punts on the road, one at DC in Week 5 and the other at Birmingham in Week 7. He also recorded 14 of his 26 tackles on special teams.

“A couple weeks [into the season] we bring him back and he’s arguably the best special teams player in the UFL,” Becht said. “A really good pass rusher, good size, speed, and strength that should get a chance [in the NFL].”

Garrett set an NCAA Division II most career forced fumbles (15) at Concordia–St. Paul. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams as a seventh-round pick in 2021, where he went on to win a Super Bowl.

Like most special teams units, the focal point has been kicker Andre Szmyt. The Syracuse alum led the UFL in made field goals with 19 but was snubbed for All-UFL in favor of Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates, who started the season with a game-winning 64-yard field goal against the Battlehawks in this first week of the season.

“Andre had a great season,” Becht said. “I mean, he also made a 60+ yard field goal. He’s only missed two. … He’s been incredibly reliable.”

The kicking position has been an important one for the Battlehawks, even in a league that doesn’t have kicking as an option for PATs.

“We need that consistency from the kicker position,” Becht said earlier in the season. “I love the fact we don't kick extra points I think you know, forcing the offensive hand to get a one two, or three points shot puts a lot of pressure on the game and the situation.”

In time for the Battlehawks rematch against the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL Conference Championship Game on Sunday, June 9, in St. Louis, Becht has added a secret weapon to his special teams in the form of former NFL linebacker Elijah Lee, who played in Super Bowl LIV for the 2019 San Francisco 49ers and later won a championship ring with the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs.

“The most impressive thing about Elijah is he actually played in the Super Bowl in 2019 against the Chiefs and made two special teams tackles in the Super Bowl,” Becht said. “I told my team yesterday, I’m giving out game balls for guys making two or three tackles in special teams in a game for us.”

Last week’s matchup between St. Louis and San Antonio came down to a blocked field goal in the final seconds of the game. It may come down to special teams once again with both teams playing for keeps this weekend.