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IFL Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Defeat Bay Area Panthers 59-52

April 2, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


WORCESTER, MA- The Massachusetts Pirates leave the DCU Center with a massive win over the Bay Area Panthers. An action packed game for both teams, however, newly acquired quarterback Anthony Russo showed out in his first IFL game.

The first quarter the Massachusetts Pirates would get the first half kickoff. Newly acquired quarterback Anthony Russo would get the start due to Alejandro Bennifield being injured. The new lead offense would stall out however, Josh Gable would connect from 41 yards out to make it 3-0. A bouncing squib kick from Gable would set up a great opportunity for the defense to make a play. A great pass breakup by Harlan Miller would give the Pirates a great defensive stand. Anthony Russo would open up the second drive with a great pass to Thomas Owens. Jimmie Robinson had a big run for a touchdown. Josh Gable would go on to miss the PAT. The Bay Area Panthers would build a solid drive, Quarterback Dalton Sneed would score a touchdown from yards out. Kevin Goessling would drill the PAT. The kickoff was electric, Jimmie Robinson would return the kickoff for a touchdown, Josh Gable would nail the PAT. The Panthers would get a great return on their return bringing the ball out to their own 23. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Pirates held the lead 16-7.

The second quarter would start off with the Bay Area Panthers, Justin Rankin would open up the 2nd quarter with a touchdown run. Goessling would nail the PAT. Russo would deliver a great pass to Thomas Owens for a touchdown! Gable would connect on the PAT. The Panthers would get the ball and are looking to respond. Brendon White and Aarion Maxey-Penton would swarm the ball every single play for the Pirates, however, Wide Receiver Arthur Jackson III would get the Panthers another touchdown. Dalton Sneed was on fire for the Panthers. The Pirates had a few killer false starts pushing the offense back forcing them to give the ball back to the Panthers. Dalton Sneed scored on a touchdown run. Goessling would connect on the PAT. The Bay Area Panthers would attempt an onside kick and the Pirates would recover, giving them outstanding field position. Anthony Russo would deliver a bullet in the back of the endzone to wide receiver Isaac Zico. Gable would drill a PAT. Bay Area would drive down the field, Dalton Sneed would hit JT Stokes for the touchdown. Anthony Russo would throw an interception to Marquise Bridges, giving the Panthers great field position and they would have a chance to come away with some points before the half closes. Kevin Goessling would line up for the FG attempts and would connect from 32 yards out giving the Panthers the lead 38-30 heading into halftime.

Entering halftime you can say both sides are even and moving the ball good. The Massachusetts Pirates are moving the ball extremely solid with Anthony Russo at quarterback. The newly acquired quarterback would complete 6 of the 12 passes (6-12) Russo would spread the ball around to multiple wide receivers. Thomas Owens and Isaac Zico both have touchdown grabs. The Pirates rushing attack was solid as the leading rusher was Jimmie Robinson for 23 yards and touchdown. The Pirates were solid on defense, and had a great second half. The Bay Area Panthers were very good on both sides of the ball. Dalton Sneed would have a great half both on the ground and on the passing attack. Sneed would pass the ball around well. Completing 4 Of 8 passes (4-8) for 48 yards with 2 touchdowns. The leading rusher would be Justin Rankin for 55 yards while adding a touchdown. Overall both Offenses would move the ball around pretty well. The Massachusetts Pirates would have 17 running plays for 88 yards. The Bay Area Panthers would have 22 total offensive plays for 150 yards.

The 3rd quarter starting, the Panthers would open up hot. It would later on fizzle out and the Panthers would fumble the ball. Recovered by the Pirates, the offense would take that turnover and attack the Bay Area Panthers. Jimmie Robinson would carry a couple Panther defenders for a huge gain. Robinson would take the handoff up the middle and score the touchdown, the momentum had switched to the Pirates side. The Pirates would attempt the 2 point conversion and would get it. Russo to Darren Carrington II would tie the score 38-38! The Panthers would get the ball back and will try to bounce back from that turnover. Sneed delivers a great pass to JT Stokes for the score. Kevin Goessling gets the PAT. Russo is looking to respond, the Quarterback throws a great pass to Thomas Owens for a great gain. Anthony Russo throws a great pass to Darren Carrington II for the touchdown. Josh Gable got the PAT. The game is tied entering the 4th quarter. 45-45.

Entering the 4th quarter, both teams have played great. The bouncing kickoff from Gable sets the Pirates defense in for a great position to make a play. Linebacker Naashon Hughes had a great pass breakup. The crowd was electric, Harlan Miller would have a great breakup. The Panthers will look to go for it, and Dalton Sneed completed a deep ball down the field to JT Stokes for a touchdown. However, Coach Stoute threw the challenge flag, the touchdown stands. The Pirates look to regain momentum and Jimmie Robinson does it. Anthony Russo throws to Thomas Owens who dives in for the score. Gable lines up for the PAT and nails it. The crowd is electric in the DCU center! Gable lines up for the kickoff and sets up for a great defensive position. Brendon White gets a huge hit on the running back and gets a Tackle for loss. A Pass break up from Harlan Miller and makes the Panthers go for it on 4th down. The Massachusetts Pirates swarmed quarterback Dalton Sneed, the Panthers turn the ball over on downs. The Anthony Russo lead offense had great field position. The very next play, Anthony Russo pitches the ball to Robinson for a touchdown, the Pirates lead! Gable who has been on fire all day lines up and nails another PAT. Gable sends a bouncing squib, the Panthers bobble the kick and the Pirates swarm the returner. Defense has great position yet again, Gable has been on point with his kicks. Pirates defensive tackle, Ezekiel Rose swats the ball down forcing the Panthers to a crucial 3rd down. Panthers quarterback Dalton Sneed throws the ball at the ground barely missing his wide receiver. The Panthers go for it on 4th down and convert. Dalton Sneed fumbled the snap, however he was lucky to land on it. 4th down for the Panthers, the Pirates swarmed the rushing attack. The Pirates are looking to close this game out. Russo sealed the victory by taking the knee.

At the end of the game, Russo would finish the game with 12 completions out of 19 attempts for 127 yards with 4 touchdowns. Jimmie Robinson would continue his great season, and would finish the game with 52 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an electric kick return. Wide receiver Thomas Owens was outstanding and would have 4 receptions for 64 yards with 1 touchdown.

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