Vegas Knight Hawks Win First IFL National Championship in Instant Classic
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – The Vegas Knight Hawks are champions of the Indoor Football League. In just their fourth season, the franchise captured its first-ever IFL National Championship, defeating the Green Bay Blizzard 64–61 in a high-octane thriller that came down to the final seconds.
A Season of Growth and Resilience
For the Knight Hawks, the championship represents the culmination of a season marked by grit and growth. After finishing last year just short of the postseason, the team retooled behind new starting quarterback Jayden De Laura, explosive wideout Quentin Randolph, and a defensive unit that thrived on late-game stops.
“This group has been through ups and downs,” head coach Mike Davis said postgame. “We weren’t the most polished team early on, but the guys bought in, kept fighting, and trusted each other. That’s why we’re standing here as champions tonight.”
Vegas entered the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a late-season surge that saw them win six of their last seven games. That momentum carried into the postseason and ultimately into the championship game.
Trading Blows in a Championship Shootout
The title game itself was a showcase of offensive firepower. Both teams scored on every possession in the first quarter, with Green Bay jumping ahead 14–13 before Antonio Wimbush’s bruising run gave Vegas the edge.
Randolph, who finished with multiple touchdowns, credited the team’s resilience. “Every time they scored, we came back harder,” Randolph said. “That’s who we are—we never let up, and tonight, that mindset won us a championship.”
The second quarter belonged to Vegas, as De Laura spread the ball around while also keeping drives alive with his legs. A touchdown strike to Randolph pushed the Knight Hawks ahead 35–33 at halftime.
Blizzard Push Back, Knight Hawks Respond
Green Bay opened the second half strong, reclaiming the lead behind quarterback Max Meylor’s dual-threat ability. The Blizzard’s physical style gave them brief momentum, but the Knight Hawks answered with big plays of their own.
One of the turning points came late in the third quarter when CJ Windham found space in the secondary for a crucial touchdown, energizing both the crowd and the sideline.
“Coach told us before the game that somebody was going to have to make the play that changes everything,” Windham said. “When my number was called, I just wanted to give us a chance—and we weren’t letting this slip away.”
De Laura Delivers in the Clutch
The defining moment came in the fourth quarter. With Vegas trailing 57–54, De Laura orchestrated a methodical drive that ended with him bulldozing his way into the end zone on a quarterback keeper. His second rushing touchdown of the night gave the Knight Hawks a 64–61 advantage.
“This is why I came to Vegas,” De Laura said, holding back tears after the game. “People doubted us all season, but we knew the kind of team we had. To bring the first championship to this city—it’s unbelievable.”
Final Defensive Stand Seals History
Green Bay had one last chance, driving into Vegas territory in the final seconds. But the Knight Hawks’ defense, which had been pushed to its limit, stood tall. A fourth-down stop—confirmed after a tense replay review—sent the Knight Hawks storming onto the field in celebration.
Linebacker Marcus Smith, who was in on the final play, summed it up: “It came down to one play. That’s all you can ask for in a championship. We refused to let them take it from us.”
A City of Champions
The Knight Hawks’ title adds another trophy to Las Vegas’s growing sports resume, joining the Stanley Cup–winning Golden Knights, the back-to-back WNBA champion Aces, and the Super Bowl–hosting Raiders.
But for the Knight Hawks, the night was about more than just joining that list. It was about carving out their own place in Vegas sports history.
“This is the start of something special,” Davis said. “We’re building a tradition here. And tonight was just the beginning.”
