United Bowl: Former Alabama prep star makes key play for Kings
Louisville defeated DC 27-20 to win the UFL championship on Saturday.
Olivia Bennett 
The Louisville Kings captured the UFL championship in a thrilling 27-20 comeback victory over the DC Defenders this past Saturday. Among the stars of the game was former McGill-Toolen standout Eric Garror, whose critical defensive efforts helped anchor the Kings when they needed it most.
A Defensive Stand in D.C.
Despite the Defenders dominating the ground game with 207 rushing yards—compared to just 61 for Louisville in the first half—DC only held a 16-7 halftime lead. The Kings kept the game within reach at Audi Field through pure defensive hustle.
DC's Xazavian Valladay gashed the defense for 111 yards in the opening half, but a key fumble recovery in the end zone by Kings cornerback Cameron Dantzler, forced by safety Keaton Ellis, kept points off the board for the Defenders. Later in the second quarter, Garror came up huge, picking up a fumble from DC wide receiver Ty Scott and returning it 12 yards to put Louisville up 7-3.
Second Half Shifts
The momentum turned after halftime, partially due to a shoulder injury that sidelined DC quarterback Jason Bean. With the passing game struggling—the teams combined for only 138 yards through the air all day—Louisville’s offense finally found its rhythm. The Kings racked up 200 yards in the second half, highlighted by a 44-yard touchdown burst from Ian Wheeler that gave Louisville a 20-16 lead with 14:43 remaining.
Garror, who finished the day with four tackles, helped hold the line as the clock wound down. The Kings' defense sealed the championship by stopping the Defenders on downs at the 6-yard line with just 1:52 left on the clock.
UFL Championship Recap
The victory marks a defining moment for the United Football League season. In addition to Garror, several other players with ties to Alabama high schools and colleges saw action during the title game as the Kings climbed to the top of the league.
