Luis Perez threw for three touchdowns, and the visiting Arlington Renegades jumped out to an early 14-point lead and never looked back in a 26-11 victory over the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday in the XFL South Division championship.
Perez completed 19 of 27 passes for 289 yards for the Renegades (4-6), who were up 14-0 early in the second quarter after Perez connected with JaVonta Payton for a pair of TDs. Payton went on to finish with five catches for 121 yards, while De’Veon Smith racked up 94 yards on 24 carries. Brandon Arconado also hauled in a touchdown pass for Arlington.
Houston (7-3) pulled within 14-8 when Jeremy Cox scored from 1 yard out and Cole McDonald found Deontay Burnett for a successful two-point conversion. But the Renegades responded with Perez’s 14-yard scoring strike to Arconado, and Austin Jones’ 32-yard field goal ended up being the only points the Roughnecks could muster the rest of the way.
McDonald finished with 82 yards and an interception on 9-for-25 passing. Max Borghi totaled 48 yards on seven carries, while McDonald also ran the ball seven times for 47 yards.
–Field Level Media