Takeaways From The Wildcats Dominating 39-9 Performance Over Defenders

Dignity Health Stadium Pregame Before The LA Wildcats Faced The DC Defenders. Photo Credit: Ryan Dyrud | The LAFB Network
Dignity Health Stadium Pregame Before The LA Wildcats Faced The DC Defenders. Photo Credit: Ryan Dyrud | The LAFB Network

The Los Angeles Wildcats dominated the DC Defenders 39-9 in their first win of the season. It was an important game for the Wildcats, if they would have lost it would have dropped them to 0-3 on the season. Los Angeles played like a team that did not want to go 0-3. With staring running Elijah Hood inactive, Martez Carter steped up in a big way for Los Angeles.

Martez Carter Explodes

Carter rushed for 34 yards on 11 carries but had two rushing touchdowns on the day. He also caught three passes for 41 yards and another score, giving him three touchdowns on the day. Carter stepped up big time for Los Angeles, and he had fun doing, he did flips in the end zone after scoring.

Josh Johnson Looked Very Sharp

Quarterback Josh Johnson was sharp on the day completing 18 of 25 passes for 278 yards. Johnson also tossed three touchdown passes in the game. The Wildcats’ quarterback did a fantastic job spreading the ball around, hitting throws to eight different receivers.

Tre McBride was Johnson’s top target, as he caught 5 passes for 109 yards and caught two touchdowns. It was nice to see other Wildcat pass-catchers step up and help out Nelson Spruce. Spruce had three catches for 76 yards in the game.

It all started up front for the Wildcats offensive line; they protected Johnson well, only giving up one quarterback hit.

Defense Got Busy

The Los Angeles Wildcats defense was the big story; they forced five turnovers against the Defenders. Cardale Jones, the Defenders quarterback, was held to only 103 passing yards and threw four interceptions. Cornerback Mike Stevens intercepted two of those passes; he also produced two pass deflections for the Wildcats.

LA also had three quarterback sacks on the day as well. Jones came in leading the XFL in passing yards, but the Wildcats defense made him look bad.

The Wildcats improve their record to 1-2 on the season, and will travel to New York to face the Guardians next week.