IFL Massachusetts Pirates

Title Holders Take on Titletown

April 12, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


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

WORCESTER, MA - The 3-0 Massachusetts Pirates, the reigning champions of the Indoor Football League, continue their two game road trip to Green Bay, WI where they will face the 0-4 Blizzard this Saturday night at the Resch Center at 7:05 pm (eastern time).

The Pirates, winners of their last 14 games, have only one road loss in their brief IFL history. That setback came in Green Bay last season in the Pirates' second game. Since then Massachusetts has won seven straight on the road.

Last Game:

The Pirates are coming off a thrilling 54-43 road win over the Bismarck Bucks. Massachusetts quarterback Alejandro Bennifield had a career day with 262 yards passing with six touchdowns as he was 19 of 29 with two interceptions. His top target was wideout Thomas Owens who had eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Pirates held a comfortable 42-23 lead in the third quarter but Bucks quarterback Jayru Campbell who was 12 of 21 for 161 and four touchdown passes led Bismarck back. The Bucks had a chance to take the lead with 56 seconds to play, but a Chase Albaugh 24-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Pirates kicker Jimmy Camacho added a 55-yard field goal and Lukas Denis tacked on a 20-yard "pick six" in the final seconds for the 11 point victory. Defensive back Khalid Wooten and linebacker Koby Quansah each had six tackles. DB Harlan Miller and Denis both had interceptions.

The Blizzard may be 0-4, but three of those losses have come by a combined total of seven points. Last Saturday night at home, Green Bay trailed the Frisco Fighters by 15 points late in the third quarter. Quarterback Jack Sheehan threw a 25-yard TD pass to Dez Stewart, Nick Jaworski added a 28-yard field goal and Keshaun Taylor pulled in a three-yard pass for six and the Blizzard led 36-35 with 38 seconds to play. That was just enough time for the Fighters to get kicker Bryce Crawford in position for an 18-yard field goal to win the game on the final play, 38-36.

The Last Time in Green Bay:

The Pirates Tavarus Dantzler was the league's Defensive Player of the Week as he had four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble. Bennifield was the IFL Offensive Player of the Week as he ran five times for 28 yards and scored four touchdowns. He was also 16 of 27 passing for 139 yards with a TD and no interceptions. The Pirates held a 36-27 lead with 9:20 to play in the game but it was Blizzard quarterback Damion May who threw two touchdown passes to lead Green Bay to a 40-36 victory. His first strike was a three-yard pass to Eric Thomas Jr. Then after the Blizzard recovered an onside kick, they turned pending doom into Pirates gloom. With 32 seconds to play, May picked up an errant shotgun snap, scrambled and threw a Hail Mary to Kezslow Smith. The prayer traveled 24 yards and was answered as Smith made the eventual game winning catch.

The Last Meeting:

The Pirates posted a convincing 50-33 victory over Green Bay at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center. Running Back Justin Stockton ran for three touchdowns in the victory picking up 46 yards on ten carries. The Pirates defense held Green Bay to just 27 yards rushing. Defensively for the Pirates, Aarion Maxey-Penton had six tackles while breaking up one pass. Defensive lineman Toby Johnson finished with five tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss and forced a fumble.

Team Stats:

The Pirates are scoring 40 points per game while giving up 31.6 per contest. Green Bay averages 25.8 points per game while allowing 32.3 each outing.

Players to Watch:

For Massachusetts, Bennifield is the leading rusher with 20 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He is also 42 of 71 passing for 513 yards with three interceptions and 11 touchdowns. The top receiver is Thomas Owens who has 15 receptions for 215 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, DB Chucky Williams has 17 tackles. Fellow DB's Harlin Miller (16 tackles, one for a loss and an interception) and Aarion Maxey-Penton (9 passes defended and two interceptions) are among the team leaders.

For the Blizzard, quarterback Torrance Gibson is the leading rusher with 20 carries for 121 yards. Sheehan is the leading passer completing 26 of 48 for 267 yards with one interception and seven touchdowns. The top receivers are Keshaun Taylor with 12 receptions for 167 yards and four touchdowns and Dez Stewart who has 12 catches for 121 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively DB Mason Gray has 21 tackles and two interceptions, linebacker James Brown has 6.5 tackles for a loss and defensive lineman Tyrell Jacobs who has four tackles for a loss and a sack.

The Coaches:

This will be the first meeting between Pirates' Rayshaun Kizer and Corey Roberson of the Blizzard. Both played defensive back in their playing days.

Kizer was the Defensive Coordinator for the champions of the IFL last season. The former five-time All Arena League DB and native of Euclid, OH, Kizer played his college ball at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. In 2007 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets. He went on to have two stints in the Canadian Football League and a stellar career in arena ball in the AF2 and AFL. Playing for Orlando in 2011, Kizer set an Arena Football League single-season record with 16 interceptions.

Corey Roberson was named head coach in Green Bay back in 2019. Roberson played nine seasons of indoor football. His stops included Rapid City, Billings, Wyoming and finished in 2010 with the Green Bay Blizzard. As a coach, he spent the next three seasons as a special teams and skills position coach then took over the defensive coordinator duties in 2014. From 2014 to 2018, he continued to assist with special teams and defense.

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.




Images from this story

Massachusetts Pirates in action
Massachusetts Pirates in action
 Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
Massachusetts Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield
  



Indoor Football League Stories from April 12, 2022


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