Battlehawks topple Renegades in front of more than 38,000 in St. Louis

The fans turned out in droves to see their St. Louis Battlehawks in the home opener

St. Louis might be a football city, after all.

The Rams bolted for Los Angeles, leaving the fans without pro football until …

Sunday when the XFL debuted with the home-standing Battlehawks facing the Arlington Renegades.

The Battlehawks won, 24-11, but the big winners were St. Louis football fans.

AJ McCarron threw for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brian Hill, a running back playing in front of his hometown fans, rushed 6 times for 55 yards.

Kyle Sloter threw 3 picks in the losing cause.

There were 38,310 people in attendance for the home opener and they were a loud and partying crowd.

St. Louis is now 3-1.