Pirates Hold off Bucks 54-43
April 11, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release
BISMARCK, ND - Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield had a career day completing 19 of 29 passes for 262 yards and six touchdowns as the defending champions of the Indoor Football League defeated the Bismarck Bucks 54-43 at the Bismarck Event Center. The Pirates have now won 14 straight games dating back to last season and this was the first road victory for Massachusetts in 2022. With the win the Pirates go to 3-0 on the season while Bismarck falls to 2-2.
It was the Bucks who scored first on their first possession of the game as quarterback Jayru Campbell connected with Benjamin Glines with a 14-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead. The tone for this game was set on the Pirates first play from scrimmage as Bennifield hit Isaac Zico with a 20-yard TD strike to tie it up. The Bucks answered on their next play as Campbell found a wide-open Alexis Rosario for an easy 35-yard scoring play and a 13-7 advantage. The Pirates started their next dive at the two. Three plays later it was Thomas Owens pulling in a seven-yard pass for a score and the contest was tied at 13. A Chase Albaugh 32-yard field goal put the Bucks back out front, but Massachusetts grabbed its first lead of the game with 2:08 to play in the first quarter as Darren Carrington scored his first touchdown of the season, a ten-yard pass from Bennifield. Jimmy Camacho's PAT was good and the Pirates were up 20-16 and the first quarter closed.
The Pirates' Harlan Miller intercepted Campbell to start the second quarter which led to a Camacho 34-yard field goal and a 23-16 advantage. Bismarck then embarked on a ten-play, 49-yard drive that showed creativity near the goal line. On fourth down and three at the two, Campbell pitched the ball to Glines who flicked a halfback option pass to Alexis Rosario for a touchdown. Albaugh's point after was true and the game was knotted at 23 with 4:27 remaining in the half.
Using the clock to their advantage the Pirates drove 45 yards in eight plays and scored with 16 second left in the half as Bennifield found running back Corey Dauphine with a three-yard TD pass. For Dauphine it was his first professional touchdown and Massachusetts went to the locker room with a 30-23 halftime lead.
The Pirates took control in the third quarter as they scored on their first possession with Bennifield finding Zico from 16 yards out for his second score of the game.
On the ensuing kickoff Jimmy Camacho's line drive kick bounced off the facemask of Rosario and was recovered by Aarion Maxey Penton. Bennifield then threw his sixth TD pass of the game to Dontez Byrd and the Pirates had run off 19 straight points taking a commanding 42-23 lead.
Bismarck was not finished as Campbell scored on a short touchdown run and then the Bucks defense helped the cause as Romon Morris intercepted a deflected Bennifield pass in the end zone.
A 26-yard run by Edward Vander was the big play in a six-play 45-yard drive that ended with Campbell throwing a four-yard pass to Edgar Allen Poe Jr. as the third quarter ended with Bismarck down 42-37.
In the final quarter Massachusetts added an 18-yard field goal by Camacho to increase the lead to 45-37 with 11:24 to pay.
With the Bucks thinking comeback, Campbell pieced together a four play, 28-yard drive that culminated with Poe pulling in an 11-yard touchdown reception, but an incomplete pass on a two-point conversion try left the Pirates with a 45-43 lead.
On the next series the Pirates drove the football to the ten where it was first and goal, but Bennifield was intercepted at the one by Morris once again, who returned it to the 20 to end the threat with 6:05 to play. The Bucks took time off the clock while driving to the seven yard-line where it was first and goal. The Pirates defense stiffened and at the one minute warning Chase Albaugh came on to attempt a 24- yard field goal that would have given Bismarck the lead. The snap was high and the kick sailed wide right.
The Pirates took over at the five but could not advance the football. Camacho came on to attempt a 55-yard field goal which hit the left upright and bounced through giving Massachusetts a 48-43 lead with 25 seconds to play.
Bismarck had one last chance starting at its own 12-yard line with 21 seconds to play. Campbell was pressured by the Pirates Theo Majette, rolled right and his off- balance pass was intercepted by Lukas Denis who raced into the end zone for a "pick six" and Massachusetts escaped with a 54-43 victory.
For Bennifield, his 262 yards passing and six passing touchdowns were both individual records eclipsing his totals of 12 of 20 for 214 yards and five passing touchdowns against Bismarck last season at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center. Bennifield was also the Pirates' leading rusher with eight carries for 20 yards.
Pirates' receiver Thomas Owens was his top target with eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Khalid Wooten and Koby Quansah each had six tackles.
For the Bucks, Campbell was the top rusher with 56 yards on 14 attempts and a score. He was also 12 of 21 for 161 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Jeff Branch made eight tackles on the day for Bismarck.
The Pirates are now 4-0 all-time against Bismarck which includes a playoff victory against the Bucks last season.
Massachusetts has now won seven consecutive road games (including the United Bowl victory over Arizona) dating back to last season. The Pirates' road trip continues next Saturday when they take on the Blizzard in Green Bay.
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 www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.
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