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IFL San Antonio Gunslingers

Castronova Shines in Gunslingers' Victory against Massachusetts

June 20, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
San Antonio Gunslingers News Release


LOWELL, Mass - Sam Castronova did it again.

A week after leading a game-winning drive to defeat the Duke City Gladiators, the star quarterback led another game-winning drive to lead his team to one of their biggest wins of the season.

Castronova threw six touchdown passes and found Keyshawn Harper in the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion as the San Antonio Gunslingers defeated the Massachusetts Pirates 52-51 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA, on Saturday night.

The Pirates (6-6) wasted no time getting on the board as Jimmie Robinson returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Gunslingers (6-5) answered as Sam Castronova found NyQuan Murray deep to tie the game. Massachusetts converted a field goal to take a 10-7 lead, and Devin Hafford recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to give the Pirates solid field position to start the second quarter.

They took advantage as Robinson ran into the end zone to give Massachusetts a 17-7 lead. However, San Antonio responded as Castronova found Kali Rashaad in the endzone to cut the deficit to three points. After Robinson scored another rushing touchdown, Castronova handed it off to Rashaad, who ran it into the end zone to cut the Pirates lead to 24-21 at halftime.

The two teams exchanged touchdowns to start the second half, and Robinson's third rushing touchdown of the game put Massachusetts up 38-28 going into the fourth quarter. The Gunslingers faced a crucial fourth-and-6 to start the fourth quarter, and it seemed they couldn't convert. However, Castronova's pass was deflected in the end zone and caught by DJ Myers, and TC Stevens converted on the deuce to cut the Pirates' lead to one point. Alejandro Bennifield found Teo Redding for a touchdown, but Casum Sutherland's extra point was no good, and the Pirates' lead was just a touchdown.

Castronova found NyQuan Murray deep for a touchdown, and Bennifield connected with Thomas Owens for a long touchdown on the ensuing possession. Massachusetts' defense took the field with a 51-44 lead and needed a stop to secure the win. Sam Castronova took the field a week after his game-winning drive against Duke City, looking to lead the Gunslingers down the field in a big moment again. He found Myers for a first down near midfield, then made a big play with his legs and scrambled before connecting with Kali Rashaad for a seven-yard gain. Then, Castronova found a receiver in the end zone for a touchdown to cut the deficit to one with fifteen seconds left. The Gunslingers went for two, and Castronova's pass intended for Myers was incomplete, but the Pirates committed pass interference. San Antonio went for two again and converted as Castronova found Keyshawn Harper in the end zone to give the Gunslingers the lead.

Bennifield completed two passes to set up a field goal attempt, but Sutherland's kick was wide left, and the Gunslingers had come up with a big win.

San Antonio is very much alive in the Western Conference playoff standings, and with a close win on the road over one of the top teams in the IFL, the confidence has to be high for the Gunslingers. They will have several chances down the stretch to make the playoffs.

The Pirates will visit the Jacksonville Sharks on June 22. The Gunslingers visit the Northern Arizona Wranglers on June 23, with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. CT.

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