Massachusetts Takes Show on the Road to Bismarck
April 5, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release
Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield vs. the Bismarck Bucks
(Massachusetts Pirates)
WORCESTER, MA - After winning the first two games of the season at home, the Pirates will leave Phoenix Field at the DCU Center and embark on a two-game road trip with the first stop in Bismarck, ND to play the Bucks at the Bismarck Event Center on Sunday, April 10 at 4:05 pm (eastern).
Massachusetts, the defending champion of the Indoor Football League, has now won 13 straight games dating back to last season. After knocking off the Frisco Fighters on a last second field goal in week one, the Pirates held the Quad City Steamwheelers to 12 second half points on Sunday in a 36-25 victory. In the win, wide receiver Thomas Owens had five receptions for 77 yards, two receiving touchdowns and scored on a five-yard run. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield was 12 of 18 for 146 yards with three passing touchdowns, no interceptions and ran seven times for 28 yards and a score. Running back Martez Carter was the game's leading rusher as he carried eight times for 66 yards. The Pirates' defense was led by Harlan Miller who had nine tackles and one pass broken up. Fellow DB Aarion Maxey-Penton broke up three passes and collected his second interception of the season.
The Bucks are coming off a bye week with a record of 2-1 as all three games were decided by a total of seven points. Bismarck opened with a three- point win on the road in Green Bay, 26-23. The Bucks lost their home opener to the Sioux Falls Storm 38-36, and followed that with a two-point 29-27 victory over the Blizzard at home.
In Bismarck's last outing, Quarterback Jayru Campbell was 17 of 28 for 134 yards with four touchdowns against three interceptions in a 29-27 win over Green Bay. He was also the leading rusher with 15 carries for 70 yards. Running Back/wide receiver Benjamin Glines was his top target with nine receptions for 89 yards and a score. Glines' game winning touchdown catch came with six seconds to play from five yards out. Alexis Rosario added a pair of short touchdown receptions of two and five yards. Defensively, Bismarck was led by defensive back Jordan Semanat who made six tackles and broke up two passes.
The Pirates are scoring 33 points per game while giving up 26. Bismarck averages 30.3 points per game on offense while allowing 29.3 defensively.
The Last Meeting:
Last meeting was the first ever IFL post-season game for each team and was won by Pirates 44-19 in the first round of the playoffs. The Pirates won all three meetings against the Bucks last season.
Players to Watch:
For Massachusetts, Carter is the leading rusher with 16 carries for 78 yards. Owens is the top receiver with seven receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns and Bennifield at quarterback is 23 of 42 for 251 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Defensive back Chucky Williams leads the defense with 14 tackles.
As for the Bucks, Quarterback Campbell is the team's leading rusher with 97 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns while running back/wide receiver Glines has carried 21 times for 66 yards.
Quarterback Tahj Tolbert is 23 of 41 passing (.56%) for 182 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Tolbert started the first two games of the season, which included a victory over Green Bay.
Campbell has taken every snap since replacing Tolbert in the third quarter of the Sioux Falls game. Trailing 31-13, Campbell rallied the Bucks, narrowly missing a comeback victory.
On defense, lineman Patrick Macon has ten tackles, four for a loss and has forced a fumble. Semanat has ten stops and has broken up three passes along with DB Romon Morris also has ten tackles, two for a loss, two passes broken up and one fumble recovery.
The Coaches:
It's the first time Pirates' head coach Rayshaun Kizer will face the Bucks Rod Miller, but the two know each other very well. Miller was the defensive coordinator in 2013 for the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League where Kizer was a defensive back. The pair were together again in 2016 in the China Arena Football League with the Qingdao Clipper where Kizer played for Miller who was the head coach. In 2019, Kizer joined Miller's staff in Bismarck as defensive coordinator, defensive backs and special teams coach.
After the game in Bismarck, the Pirates will continue their road trip to Green Bay before returning to Phoenix Field and the DCU Center to face the Iowa Barnstormers on April 23 at 7:05 pm.
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.
Images from this story
 Massachusetts Pirates vs. the Bismarck Bucks |
 Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield vs. the Bismarck Bucks |
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