Post by DiamondThief on Apr 24, 2021 21:20:49 GMT -8
Pirates 49, Xtreme 18
4/24/21 --
LOUISVILLE, KY - Thomas Owens hauled in three touchdown passes as the Massachusetts Pirates put away the Louisville Xtreme in the Indoor Football League debut of both teams, 49-18.
The Pirates, who moved over from the National Arena League over the offseason, pick up their opening-night win under head coach Patrick Pass. The Pirates, Xtreme, Blizzard and Bucks have opted to play two additional games -- 16 in total -- compared to the 14 which the other eight IFL teams will play over the course of 2021.
Both teams started off slowly offensively and, in fact, the first touchdown was scored by the Pirates' defense when defensive lineman J.D. Griggs recovered Louisville quarterback Bryan Hicks' fumble and returned it 12 yard for a touchdown. Gabriel Rui's point after lifted the Pirates to a 7-0 lead, which lasted until the end of the first quarter.
Massachusetts extended their lead to 14-0 when quarterback Sean Bracket hit Justin Stockton on a four-yard touchdown strike, with Rui adding the extra point. The Xtreme scored their first-ever franchise touchdown on a four-yard pass from Bryan Hicks to Edgar Poe. However, Derek Vacha's extra point attempt was blocked. Richard Stammetti started the game at quarterback for the Pirates, but was replaced by backup Alejandro Bennifield (no official reason has been released). His three-yard pass to Owens, along with Rui's point after, pushed the Pirates' lead to 21-6, which would remain the score through the half.
Hicks' one-yard plunge into the end zone narrowed the Xtreme's deficit to 21-12 (Vacha's extra point try went wide left). From there, the Pirates took over. Bennifield hit Owens on a 45-yard bomb to extend the lead. The Pirates led 28-12 heading into the final quarter.
Bennifield scored on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give the Pirates a 23-point lead. They pushed the lead to 30 points on Owens' third scoring reception of the night with 8:46 left. The Xtreme cut into that lead two-and-a-half minutes later when Backup quarterback Dalton Oliver found Quan Shorts for a 16-yard touchdown. Stockton's late five-yard run provided the final margin of 49-18.
The Pirates outgained the Xtreme in total offense, 227 yards to 135, with a noticeable difference coming in the running game, 89 yards to 19. The Pirates averaged 6.0 yards per play, while the Xtreme managed 3.1. Each team was penalized 10 times; the Pirates for 95 yards and the Xtreme for 106 yards.
Bennifield finished the night coming in relief of Brackett and completing four of nine passes for 88 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also had a rushing score. Stockton led all rushers with 11 carries for 82 yards and a score. Owens added five receptions for 94 yards to his three scoring grabs. Martrell Spaight and Santo Remirez led the Pirates with seven tackles apiece, and Griggs had a sack and fumble recovery for the Pirates.
Hicks went 15 of 24 for 91 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Brown added 25 yards rushing on three carries. The Xtreme were led in receiving by Shorts' six catches for 62 yards with a touchdown reception. Gerod Holliman's six tackles led the Louisville defense, and Kyree McLean had an interception which came on the last play of the first half.
The Pirates (1-0) will visit the Green Bay Blizzard (0-1) on May 2 with a kickoff set for 1:05 p.m.. The Xtreme (0-1) are back in action on May 7 as they visit the Bismarck Bucks (1-0). Kickoff in that game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. All times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for the SCtoC 2021 Indoor Football League schedule.
4/24/21 --
LOUISVILLE, KY - Thomas Owens hauled in three touchdown passes as the Massachusetts Pirates put away the Louisville Xtreme in the Indoor Football League debut of both teams, 49-18.
The Pirates, who moved over from the National Arena League over the offseason, pick up their opening-night win under head coach Patrick Pass. The Pirates, Xtreme, Blizzard and Bucks have opted to play two additional games -- 16 in total -- compared to the 14 which the other eight IFL teams will play over the course of 2021.
Both teams started off slowly offensively and, in fact, the first touchdown was scored by the Pirates' defense when defensive lineman J.D. Griggs recovered Louisville quarterback Bryan Hicks' fumble and returned it 12 yard for a touchdown. Gabriel Rui's point after lifted the Pirates to a 7-0 lead, which lasted until the end of the first quarter.
Massachusetts extended their lead to 14-0 when quarterback Sean Bracket hit Justin Stockton on a four-yard touchdown strike, with Rui adding the extra point. The Xtreme scored their first-ever franchise touchdown on a four-yard pass from Bryan Hicks to Edgar Poe. However, Derek Vacha's extra point attempt was blocked. Richard Stammetti started the game at quarterback for the Pirates, but was replaced by backup Alejandro Bennifield (no official reason has been released). His three-yard pass to Owens, along with Rui's point after, pushed the Pirates' lead to 21-6, which would remain the score through the half.
Hicks' one-yard plunge into the end zone narrowed the Xtreme's deficit to 21-12 (Vacha's extra point try went wide left). From there, the Pirates took over. Bennifield hit Owens on a 45-yard bomb to extend the lead. The Pirates led 28-12 heading into the final quarter.
Bennifield scored on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give the Pirates a 23-point lead. They pushed the lead to 30 points on Owens' third scoring reception of the night with 8:46 left. The Xtreme cut into that lead two-and-a-half minutes later when Backup quarterback Dalton Oliver found Quan Shorts for a 16-yard touchdown. Stockton's late five-yard run provided the final margin of 49-18.
The Pirates outgained the Xtreme in total offense, 227 yards to 135, with a noticeable difference coming in the running game, 89 yards to 19. The Pirates averaged 6.0 yards per play, while the Xtreme managed 3.1. Each team was penalized 10 times; the Pirates for 95 yards and the Xtreme for 106 yards.
Bennifield finished the night coming in relief of Brackett and completing four of nine passes for 88 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also had a rushing score. Stockton led all rushers with 11 carries for 82 yards and a score. Owens added five receptions for 94 yards to his three scoring grabs. Martrell Spaight and Santo Remirez led the Pirates with seven tackles apiece, and Griggs had a sack and fumble recovery for the Pirates.
Hicks went 15 of 24 for 91 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Brown added 25 yards rushing on three carries. The Xtreme were led in receiving by Shorts' six catches for 62 yards with a touchdown reception. Gerod Holliman's six tackles led the Louisville defense, and Kyree McLean had an interception which came on the last play of the first half.
The Pirates (1-0) will visit the Green Bay Blizzard (0-1) on May 2 with a kickoff set for 1:05 p.m.. The Xtreme (0-1) are back in action on May 7 as they visit the Bismarck Bucks (1-0). Kickoff in that game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. All times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for the SCtoC 2021 Indoor Football League schedule.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL's Official YouTube Channel. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game.
- ANM
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