Stallions win third championship in a row

The Birmingham Stallions have only been in existence for three years and they have now won their third championship. On Sunday, the Stallions defeated the San Antonio Brahmas 25 to 0 in a game where the Stallions defense played virtually perfect throughout. The Stallions finished the year with a record of 11 and 1.

Skip Holtz has coached the Stallions to three championships.

"We played real conservative," said Coach Holtz. "That's easy to do when your defense is holding them to zero points."

"Really proud of this team, what they have been able to accomplish," Holtz continued. "I am so blessed one to coach in the UFL and 2 be able to coach such a wonderful group of young men."

It was late in the first half before the Stallions got on the board with an 8 yard Adrian Martinez pass to Gary Jennings. Martinez scored on an 11 yards touchdown run early in the third quarter. Martinez added a third touchdown run off of a quarterback sneak to seal the game for the Stallions.

"We have got real talented players who have bought in and they do a great job," said Holtz. "That championship culture really takes off when you learn how to handle winning and the players take over the culture."

"Playing on the Stallions is a blessing," said Martinez.

Martinez said that most of the players in the UFL were cut from NFL rosters and they play with a "chip on their shoulder" as a result.

"This is the best job I have ever had," said Holtz. "My favorite part of coaching is watching a player and a team develop."

Defensive coordinator John Chavez left in the middle of the season.

"I have never been through anything like that," said Holtz. "It was very time consuming. There was a lot of work to that."

Holtz promoted Corey Chamblin to defensive coordinator and hired Anthony Blevins in the middle of the season in the wake of Chaves's unexpected departure.

The Brahmas are coached by former Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills head Coach Wade Phillips.

Birmingham was one of the founding teams of the USFL and won the championship both of the two years of that league. In the offseason, the XFL and USFL merged to form the Ultimate Football League (UFL). 8 teams from the two leagues were shuttered as part of the merger. The Stallions earned a UFL Championship on Sunday to go along with their two USFL championships.

The future of spring football remains very much in doubt; but in Birmingham fans are looking forward to enjoying this championship and are hopeful that the UFL will be back next year for a fourth season of Stallions football.

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