Football Franchise Returns

LINCOLN — The Northwest Arkansas Battle minor league football franchise returns for their second season playing at the old Lincoln High School football field.

The franchise carries on the tradition of the Arkansas Warriors and Arkansas War Cats, which started minor league football in Northwest Arkansas in 2004, officially merging as the NWA Battle.

The Battle lost 20- 6 to the Oklahoma Warriors on Saturday in the Ozark Bowl and will entertain the Joplin Crusaders at 6 p.m. at the old Lincoln football field on Saturday.

The Battle then go on a four week road trip before returning home to finish the season, hosting the Kansas Cougars May 11 and North Oklahoma Ruffnecks on May 18.

Battle head coach Stacey Rubin and offensive coordinator Scott Wilmoth have high expectations for the 2013 team with the return of 2012 AFL All-Star MVP Quarterback Dontavious (D.T.) McDowell (Troy State).

McDowell, who is from Atlanta, Ga., was heavily recruited by Division I schools for football and baseball before choosing to play quarterback at Troy State. He was also the 20th-round draft pick by the Anaheim Angels in 2004 out of high school.

According to a press release from the Battle, McDowell possesses great speed and arm strength and has been clocked at throwing over 90 miles-per-hour consistently as a pitcher.

“There are only rumors as to how far he can actually throw a football, you wouldn’t believe it if we told you,” said James Burkheart, CFL president.

McDowell is currently training for another shot at the major leagues and the NFL.