The Arlington Renegades (3-7) visited Audi Field for the final game of the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon against the D.C. Defenders (4-6). This was a highly contested game by both teams but in the end, Arlington came away with a 32-31 win over the Defenders.
Arlington had 335 yards on offense. Quarterback Luis Perez completed 23 of 37 passes (62%) for 215 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. In the second quarter, Perez threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns and the score was 15-14 D.C. with 17 seconds left before halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Perez threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns giving the Renegades a 25-21 lead with 14:20 left. Then, Perez threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Deontay Burnett giving Arlington a 32-31 lead with 2:28 left in the game.
Running back De’Veon Smith led the rushers with 20 carries for 94 yards, and three catches for 17 yards while Devin Darrington had eight carries for 26 yards. Tight end Sal Cannella led the receivers making seven catches for 52 yards, and wide receiver Tyler Vaughns made five catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Kicker Jonathan Garibay made three field goals with a long of 40 yards. Arlington’s defense made 52 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
D.C. had 263 yards on offense. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 18 of 34 passes (53%) for 218 yards, two touchdowns, and two carries for nine yards. In the second quarter, Ta’amu threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Vyncint Smith giving the Defenders a 15-6 lead with 4:29 left.
In the fourth quarter, Ta’amu threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Smith which made it 29-25 D.C. with 11:41 left in the game. Running back Cam’Ron Harris led the rushers with seven carries for 31 yards and one touchdown. Harris scored a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter and the score was 21-14 D.C. with 10:52 left. The rushers finished the afternoon with 12 carries for 38 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Ty Scott led the receivers making five catches for 35 yards. The receivers finished the afternoon making 19 catches for 230 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Chris Rowland made three catches for 27 yards and returned eight kickoffs for 274 yards, and one touchdown.
Kicker Matthew McCrane made one field goal for 44 yards. D.C.’s defense made 64 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and recorded a safety.
