IFL Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Clinch Playoff Berth After Defeating Tulsa

June 25, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


The Massachusetts Pirates played their final home game of the regular season this weekend, as the Tulsa Oilers came for a visit. These two teams were in very different positions, as the Pirates would clinch a postseason berth with a win, while the Oilers were looking to play spoiler and build something to carry into next season.

The Pirates held the first possession and got right to work. The offense converted a fourth and short thanks to quarterback Anthony Russo connecting with wide receiver Isaac Zico early. After marching to the Oilers five-yard line, running back Jimmie Robinson would power into the end zone for the game's first touchdown. Kicker Ali Mourtada would make his first PAT attempt, giving the Pirates a 7-0 lead early in the game.

The Oilers would have a shaky first possession, as quarterback Andre Sale threw two incomplete passes and running back Dalton James couldn't muster a first down. On fourth down, kicker Victor Leventritt would miss a 55-yard field goal attempt, giving the Pirates possession at the five yard line. Due to the missed field goal, the Pirates still held their 7-0 lead.

The Pirates once again marched down the field on their next possession. Newly acquired wide receiver Fabian Guerra, became an immediate source of production for the offense, gaining 15 yards on his first reception. On the next set of downs, the Pirates faced fourth down. That was no issue for Russo and the offense, as he'd throw deep and find new teammate Guerra for another touchdown for the Pirates. Mourtada once again made his PAT attempt, and the Pirates lead extended to 14-0.

To close the first quarter, the Oilers began to move the football as Dalton James became an effective option in the passing game. Suddenly inside the Pirates 10-yard line, the Oilers faced third down from the six. Andre Sale would drop back and his throw would be out of reach, but an illegal contact penalty on the Pirates gave the Oilers another opportunity. They struck gold for the first time on the following play as Andre Sale found wide receiver Alexis Rosario for the touchdown. Leventritt's PAT was no good, but the Oilers now trailed 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Pirates welcomed back a familiar face in the second quarter in quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, who hadn't played for an extended period of time since week one. He would start the next Pirates possession by conducting an eight play drive, which featured some consistent rushing from Jimmie Robinson. The drive was later capped off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Zico in the back of the end zone. Mourtada's PAT was no good, but the Pirates led 20-6 with 7:50 left in the second quarter.

On the next drive, The Oilers would once again reap the benefits of Pirates penalties, with two pass interference calls on drive against the defense. In just three plays, the Oilers had first and goal from inside the three-yard line. They'd cash in with an Andre Sale touchdown pass to Alexis Rosario for their second scoring connection of the night. Leventritt's PAT was wide left, but the Pirates lead was cut to 20-12 with four minutes left in the second quarter.

The Pirates made quick work of their next drive, starting off with a 20-yard pass from Bennifield to Zico to set the Pirates up at the 12-yard line, where Bennifield would keep the ball and scamper into the end zone for the score. Mourtada's PAT was good, and the Pirates were back up 27-12 with 1:48 left in the first half. The Oilers hung around though, as Dalton James opened the following drive with a first down carry, putting the offense in Pirates territory. On second down, Andre Sale threw to the back of the end zone for Joshua Crockett who came down with the football for the touchdown. The Oilers would go for a two-point conversion and fail, making the score 27-18 in favor of the Pirates.

To close out the first half, the Pirates aimed to extend their lead again to double digits. After the Oilers were penalized for a horse collar tackle on Jimmie Robinson, Bennifiled found newly acquired wide receiver Neil Pau'u who moved the chains again. The following play, Isaac Zico caught one in the end zone for his second touchdown of the night. After Mourtada's successful PAT, the Pirates went into halftime up 34-18.

The Oilers opened the second half with the football, and started it off with a long drive. Andre Sale hit consistent short passes to Joshua Crockett and Dalton James all the way down the field. After failing to find the end zone on the first set of downs, the drive extended thanks to Pirates penalties at the goal line. The Oilers couldn't convert on third and goal and would attempt a field goal on fourth down. However, the kick was blocked by Defensive Lineman Trevon Young. The Pirates couldn't take advantage on the ensuing drive though, going three and out after failing to get anything going on offense.

The Oilers took the final drive of the third quarter and could not find any momentum, converting one fourth down before stalling the following set. The Pirates suffered the same lull of production, as Bennifield couldn't get much of anything going through the air, and any time Jimmie Robinson would break a rush for more than a few yards, they'd suffer a penalty called against them. The Pirates would settle for a field goal attempt from Mourtada but he'd miss it, giving the Oilers the ball with 10:45 left in the fourth.

Here, the Oilers would finally cash in, after Sale conducted a drive featuring huge gains from wide receiver Jonathan Nance. Tulsa would march right to the Pirates 12-yard line, where Alexis Rosario would score his third receiving touchdown of the night. The Pirates lead was now cut down to 34-24 after Leventritt's successful PAT with 6:23 left.

The Pirates opened up at mid-field after Leventritt's unsuccessful deuce attempt. They'd need only one play to score, as Jimmie Robinson broke a tackle and ran all the way to the end zone for the Pirates touchdown. Mourtada's PAT was blocked, but the Pirates now led 40-24 with five minutes left in regulation. They'd take possession again two plays later as defensive back Momodou Mbye intercepted the Andre Sale pass intended for Joshua Crockett. From there, the offense would get into field goal range to give Mourtada another kick, which he successfully converted. Giving the Pirates a 43-24 lead with just 28 seconds left in regulation. The Oilers would be unable to create any last second points, and that would be your final score.

The Pirates win their last home game of the regular season and clinch a playoff berth with the win. They finish the regular season 7-0 at home and will look ahead to close the season strong. They'll travel to Arizona next week to take on the Rattlers.



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