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IFL Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Look to Stay Perfect at Home on Friday vs. Iowa

April 28, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


The Massachusetts Pirates face the Iowa Barnstormers on Friday night at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center. Kickoff is set for 7:35 pm (eastern). The Pirates enter the game with a 2-2 record while Iowa is 0-4 on the season. Massachusetts won its first two-game of the season at home but dropped the next two on the road.

The Series:

The Pirates led the all-time series two games to win. Massachusetts won the first-ever meeting 55 to 19 in their Championship season of 2021. Last year the team split their two games with each winning at home.

The Last Meeting - July 2 2022, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA

The Pirates led 12-8 at halftime and Massachusetts quarterback Tasleem Wilson added a pair of one-yard touchdown runs to give his team a 26-15 lead after three quarters. Those would be the last points the Pirates would score. The Barnstormers forced two fourth quarter turnovers and outscored Massachusetts 20-0 to win the game 35 to 26.

Wilson was 10 of 23 passing for 124 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. He also ran 11 times for 72 yards and scored once. His top target was Thomas Owens who had four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Pirates defensive back Chucky Williams had two interceptions in a losing effort. Antonio Wimbush carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns for Iowa. Barnstormers quarterback Darius Peterson was nine of 17 for 85 yards and touchdown with two interceptions. He also ran 12 times for 71 yards and two more scores. Wide receiver Zac Parker had five receptions for 51 yards.

The Last Time Out:

In a see-saw battle, the Pirates could see 3:52 standing between them and a victory at the Vibrant Center in Moline, IL, but they saw Keyvan Rudd catch a 21-yard touchdown pass from E.J. Hilliard Jr. with just three seconds remaining as the Quad City Steamwheelers defeated Massachusetts 49-44. The largest lead in the contest was six points when the Wheelers scored their first touchdown in the first quarter. The Pirates led 28-24 at halftime, but were outscored 25 to 16 in the second half.

Pirates Quarterback Anthony Russo was 12 of 20 passing for 161 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a seven-yard TD run. Running back Jimmie Robinson rushed nine times for 42 yards with two scores. Isaac Zico was the team's leading receiver with four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

The Massachusetts defense registered three sacks on the evening with two by Ezekiel Rose. Brendon White led the Pirates with 12 tackles. For Quad City Hilliard was 13 of 19 passing for 169 yards with four touchdowns with no interceptions. He also ran 12 times for 38 yards and a score. Jerron McGaw was his top target with seven receptions for 73 yards and two scores.

The Tulsa Oilers earned their first victory in franchise history with a 54-48 win over the Iowa Barnstormers at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Saturday night. Iowa led 34 to 19 at halftime but were outscored 35 to 14 in the second half. Barnstormers quarterback Jonathan Bane was six of 18 for 74 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. His leading receiver was former Pirate LaQuvionte Gonzalez with two catches for 31 yards. Gonzalez also returned six kickoffs for 133 yards giving him 164 all-purpose yards for the contest. Caleb Smith had one catch for 35 yards and a score. Running back Antonio Wimbush carried 16 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. He also returned two kickoffs for 34 yards and had two receptions for six yards and a pair of touchdowns for 122 all-purpose yards. Defensive back EJ Johnson added a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Team Stats: (Includes IFL Ranking)

49.3 seems to be the number for the Pirates. Massachusetts is averaging 49.3 points per game on offense (3rd), while giving up 49.3 defensively (11th). The Pirates are fifth in the IFL in passing at 160.8 yards per game and rank third in offensive efficiency at 158.1. Massachusetts averages 221.5 yards per game (eigth). When it comes to field goals, the Pirates have made four of six for a percentage of .667, second best in the league. The Pirates lead the IFL converting on third down 59.3 percent of the time. Iowa is 13th in the IFL in scoring at 35.0 points per game while their defense ranks 13th allowing 52.0 points per contest. The Barnstormers offense gains 191.0 yards per game (11th.) They are also fourth in the league in rushing with an average of 90.0 yards per contest.

Players to Watch: (Includes IFL Ranking)

Pirates running back Jimmie Robinson has carried the ball 38 (ninth) times for 184 (fifth) yards with nine touchdowns (third). He averages 4.8 yards per carry and 46 yards per game (eigth). Robinson is seventh in the league in scoring with 15 points per game. As a returner Robinson ranks seventh with a 22.0 average. He also has two returns for touchdowns. The Pirates rookie leads the IFL averaging 141.3 all-purpose yards per night.

Antonio Wimbush of Iowa has rushed 42 times (seventh) for 175 yards (seventh) with five touchdowns. He gains 4.2 yards per carry and 58.3 yards per contest (fourth). Wimbush is also ninth in the IFL with an average of 14 points per night. Wimbush is tenth averaging 95.3 all-purpose yards per game.

Massachusetts quarterback Anthony Russo is 40 (10th) of 71 (10th) for 454 yards (10th) with nine touchdowns (eigth) and two interceptions. He is completing 56.3 percent of his passes, averages 151.3 yards per game and has an efficiency rating of 146.2. Iowa quarterback Jonathan Bane has only played in one game this season as last week he was 6 of 18 for 74 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Thomas Owens of the Pirates ranks sixth in the IFL with 14.7 yards per reception. Owens has 14 receptions for 206 yards with five touchdowns. He averages 51.5 receiving yards per game. Barnstormers wideout LaQuvionte Gonzalez has 19 receptions and also has 206 receiving yards. He has two touchdowns, averages 10.8 yards per catch and 51.5 yards per game. He also averages 110.3 all-purpose yards per contest (fifth). Pirates' kicker Josh Gable has made four field goals (fifth) in six attempts (ninth) for a percentage of .667 (second). His 8.3 points per game and 33 points are fifth in the league. Gabriel Rui of Iowa has made .333 percent of his kicks (ninth), connecting on three of nine attempts (sixth).

Linebacker Brendon White of the Pirates is second in the IFL with 30 tackles. He is also third averaging 7.5 stops per game. Teammate Ezekiel Rose ranks in the top ten with two sacks. Massachusetts defensive back Harlan Miller is tenth in the League with five passes defended.

The Coaches:

Mark Stoute is now 2-2 as the Head Coach of the Pirates. Stoute joined the organization in June of 2021 as a senior advisor. He served as Offensive Coordinator last season.

Stoute is the fifth head coach in Pirates history and has 27 years of coaching experience in the indoor game. He had his most success as a head coach from 2012 to 2016 with the Cedar Rapids Titans leading them to four-straight playoff appearances. After an impressive 2013 season, Stoute was named the IFL Coach of the Year. Dave Mogensen is in his second season with the Barnstormers. Last year his team had a 9-7 record, leading the franchise to their fifth consecutive playoff berth. In 2021, Mogensen served as the Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel for the Albany Empire of the National Arena League, winning the NAL championship. Mogensen is no stranger to the IFL, having been the Offensive Coordinator for the Green Bay Blizzard during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. With the Blizzard, Mogensen contributed to player personnel and recruiting, helping to guide the team to their first playoff appearance in seven years.

Mogensen began coaching in the indoor game in 2008 as an Assistant Coach of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) where he joined the staff mid-season to help turn things around for a struggling franchise and was promoted to Offensive Coordinator the following season. He then joined the Wisconsin Wolfpack, an expansion franchise, as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator.



Indoor Football League Stories from April 28, 2023


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