Henderson, NV – The Vegas Knight Hawks soared to an early lead in their 2025 home opener at Lee’s Family Forum on Friday night, but a relentless San Diego Strike Force mounted a second-half comeback, ultimately handing the Knight Hawks a tough 35-27 defeat. Despite flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball, the Knight Hawks couldn’t maintain their momentum, leaving the home crowd yearning for a different outcome.
The Knight Hawks came out firing, with quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson showcasing his dual-threat capabilities early. He capped off the opening drive with a dazzling 20-yard touchdown run, sending an electric jolt through the arena. The momentum continued into the second quarter when Johnson connected with newcomer Tamerion Terry for a 2-yard touchdown pass, extending the Knight Hawks’ lead to a comfortable 14-0. Terry’s first touchdown in a Knight Hawks uniform was a clear highlight for the home team.
Defensively, the Knight Hawks started strong. Linebacker Makel Calhoun made a crucial play early in the game, intercepting a tipped pass at the goal line to thwart a promising Strike Force drive. Darius Williams also made his presence felt, recovering a key fumble in the third quarter to stifle another San Diego attack deep in Vegas territory.
However, the Strike Force, led by quarterback Nate Davis, proved to be a resilient opponent. They clawed their way back into the game, eventually tying the score at 14 apiece in the second quarter. While the Knight Hawks defense held firm for much of the first half, forcing two missed field goals from San Diego, the Strike Force offense found its rhythm after the break.
The third quarter saw the Knight Hawks regain the lead. Johnson connected with Quentin Randolph for an 18-yard touchdown strike, Randolph’s fourth of the season. Later in the quarter, Antonio Wimbush powered his way into the endzone with a 1-yard wildcat run, extending the Knight Hawks’ advantage to 27-14.
But the Strike Force refused to back down. They chipped away at the lead, eventually scoring two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the game at 28-27.
A critical moment came late in the fourth when Johnson’s pass was intercepted in the endzone, a turnover the Strike Force capitalized on, extending their lead to eight points with just over a minute remaining. Despite a valiant effort in the final moments, the Knight Hawks couldn’t overcome the late surge, ultimately falling 35-27.
While the loss stings, there were certainly positives for the Knight Hawks. Johnson’s three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) showcased his importance to the offense, and the defensive takeaways early in the game were encouraging. Randolph continued his strong start to the season with another touchdown reception.
The Knight Hawks will now have a bye week to regroup and address the areas that need improvement before hitting the road to face the San Antonio Gunslingers on April 26th. They will undoubtedly look to learn from this tough loss and return stronger for their next matchup. The home faithful will have to wait until May 3rd for the next opportunity to cheer on the Knight Hawks at Lee’s Family Forum for Military Appreciation Knight against the Northern Arizona Wranglers.
