IFL Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Seek Lucky 13vs. Steamwheelers

Published on March 28, 2022 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
(Massachusetts Pirates)

WORCESTER, MA - On Sunday, April 3 at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center, the defending Indoor Football League Champion Massachusetts Pirates (1-0) will be looking for a 13th consecutive win when they face the Quad City Steamwheelers (1-1) at 1:05 pm. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Pirates closed out their 2021 championship season on an 11-game win streak and will attempt to be 2-0 on the season and in the East Conference.

Massachusetts won its season and home opener on March 12 defeating the Frisco Fighters 30-27 as Josh Gable kicked a 33-yard game winning field goal as time expired. Gable, who made three field goals and was a perfect three for three on extra points, was named the IFL's Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.

Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield led the offense as the teams' leading rusher with 23 yards on five carries and a touchdown. Bennifield was also 11 of 24 passing for 105 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Thomas Owens had two receptions for 27 yards including a six-yard TD catch and wideout Dontez Byrd, who had a pair of grabs for nine yards, caught a 5-yard scoring pass. Isaac Zico led all Massachusetts receivers with four receptions for 52 yards.

Massachusetts' defense, which allowed 33 points per game during the regular season in 2021, held Frisco to 27 in the season opener. Linebacker Naashon Hughes set the pace with 7.5 tackles while defensive back Chucky Williams had six, including a tackle for a loss. Fellow DB Aarion Maxey-Penton had 5.5 tackles plus an interception. Defensive lineman Vantrel McMillan had the team's only sack.

The Pirates should be well rested after a two-week layoff. Quad City comes to Worcester after a bye week. The Steamwheelers lost their first game of the season on the road at Sioux Falls 35-24, but rebounded defeating Iowa 46-24 at home.

In the victory over the Barnstormers, Steamwheelers quarterback David Perkins was 11 of 19 passing for 183 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He was also the team's leading rusher with 54 yards on ten carries. Running back Kerrion Moore scored four times with touchdown runs of eight, seven and one yards. He also had one reception for four yards that produced six points. Moore leads Quad City with a total of five touchdowns as he returned a kickoff 49 yards for a score vs. Sioux Falls.

On defense, linebacker Nate Sheets led the way with nine tackles and .5 tackles for a loss. Defensive lineman Jaylin Swan made six tackles with two tackles for a loss, including a sack. Sheets has had a productive first two games with 16 tackles overall.

This will be the first time that the Pirates Rayshaun Kizer and Cory Ross of the Steamwheelers will square off against each other as head coaches. Last season as Massachusetts' defensive coordinator, Kizer's unit got the best of Ross' offense three times in victories over the Bismarck Bucks where Ross served as the offensive coordinator.

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.

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Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
   



Indoor Football League Stories from March 28, 2022


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