Week 9 Preview - Pirates at Sugar Skulls

[Nevadanut]

Massachusetts Pirates at Tucson Sugar Skulls



What: The Pirates sail into the southwest to meet the Sugar Skulls.
When: Saturday, June 19 at 6:05 p.m. pacific (9:05 p.m. eastern).
Where: Tucson Convention Center; Tucson, Arizona.
Video Stream: Stadium.
2021 Head to Head: This is the only meeting between the teams this season.
Overall Head to Head: These teams have never met.
SCtoC Logo: Created by David

The Pirates are 3-3 overall and 2-1 on the road. They are coming off a 40-33 home loss to the Frisco Fighters on June 12. The Sugar Skulls are 1-3 overall and 0-1 at home. They are coming off a 44-34 road loss to the Arizona Rattlers on June 19.

Pirates


Pirates defensive lineman J.D. Griggs.
(Photo via Massachusetts Pirates)

2021 ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Mardy Gilyard (WR)
2 - Khalid Wooten (DB)
3 - Chucky Williams (DB)
4 - Damoun Patterson (WR)
5 - Ahmad Dixon (DB)
6 - Laquvionte Gonzalez (WR)
7 - Darren Carrington II (WR)
8 - Sean Brackett (QB)
9 - Santos Ramirez (DB)
11 - Aarion Maxey-Penton (DB)
15 - Alejandro Bennifield (QB)
16 - Josh Gable (K)
17 - Gabriel Rui (K)
18 - R.J. Turner (WR)
23 - Justin Stockton (RB)
24 - Martrell Spaight (LB)
27 - Harlan Miller (DB)
28 - Martez Carter (RB)
55 - Tavarus Dantzler (LB)
64 - Jordan McCray (OL)
65 - Jared Thomas (OL)
73 - Kendall Baker (OL)
74 - Marquis Lucas (OL)
77 - Chasz Wright (OL)
81 - Thomas Owens (WR)
83 - Terrance Williams (WR)
91 - Toby Johnson (DL)
92 - Da’Sean Downey (DL)
97 - David Marshall (DL)
98 - Alexis Johnson (DL)
99 - J.D. Griggs (DL)

Short Term IR
N/A

Season Ending IR
N/A

Transfer
N/A - Reggie Howard (DL) [CFL - Edmonton Elks]

RTR
N/A - E.J. Price (OL)
N/A - Akrum Wadley (RB)

Coaching Staff
Patrick Pass - Head Coach
Rayshaun Kizer - Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
Bones Bagaunte - Offensive Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach
Rob Orell - Offensive Line Coach
William Croom - Running Backs Coach & Assistant Special Teams Coordinator
Gerald "Jerry" Snay - Special Teams Coordinator, Linebackers & Defensive Line Coach
Billy Savary - Coaching Assistant
Don Williams - Coaching Assistant

Roster information for week one is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. The above rosters are subject to change and is presented here merely as a basic guide for following the game.

Sugar Skulls


Sugar Skulls wide receiver Ryan Balentine.
(Photo via Tucson Sugar Skulls)

2021 ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Ryan Balentine (WR)
2 - Malik Stanley (WR)
3 - Tahj Tolbert (QB)
4 - Jazeric Peterson (WR)
5 - Sheldon Augustine (WR)
6 - Michael "Mike" Minter Jr. (DB)
7 - Cam Gaddis (DB/WR)
8 - Mike Jones (RB)
9 - Kent Shelby II (WR)
10 - Jajuan Harley (DB)
11 - Demry Croft (QB)
12 - Cory Butler-Byrd (DB/WR)
13 - E.J. Hillard Jr. (QB)
14 - Delvin Batiste (DB)
15 - Tai'yon Devers (DL)
18 - Marquise Irvin (WR)
19 - Chris Martin (DL/LB)
20 - Braelen Evans (DB)
21 - Delondo Boyd (DB)
22 - Matt Elam (DB)
23 - TT Barber (LB)
26 - Daniel Bowen (K)
41 - Terrence Fullum (DL)
55 - Isame Faciane (DL)
56 - Prince Unaegbu (DL)
60 - Matthew "Matt" Burrell (OL)
62 - Brandon Haskin (OL)
70 - Osaro Eromosele (OL)
73 - Shakore Philip (DL)
79 - Kordell Brewster (OL)

Short Term IR
N/A

Season Ending IR
N/A

Transfer
N/A

RTR
N/A

Coaching Staff
Dixie Wooten - Head Coach
Chuck Miller - Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
Brandon Sanders - Defensive Backs Coach
Xzavie Jackson - Offensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coordinator

Roster information for week one is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. The above rosters are subject to change and is presented here merely as a basic guide for following the game.

Breakdown

PIRATES
Massachusetts has had an up-and-down season thus far, but still find themselves at 3-3. The Pirates visit the Sugar Skulls in what promises to be a competitive matchup. The Pirates are considered to have one of the most acclaimed IFL Rosters with at least three former NFL players. Putting that all together at the IFL level will be the key to success after moving from the National Arena League last year. Alejandro Bennifield has been the quarterback for most of the season, but veteran Sean Brackett saw some time last week. Anticipate Bennifield to get the start, as he has completed 54 percent of his throws for 728 yards with 15 touchdowns and three picks, and has three rushing touchdowns. Justin Stockton, with a 49.6 yards per game and three touchdowns, is a formidable back. Thomas Owens is the lead receiver with 27 grabs for 393 yards and nine scores. Martrell Spaight missed last week, but could come back to lead the defense. Santos Ramirez and J.D. Griggs should also make a defensive impact.

SUGAR SKULLS
After reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season of 2019m the Sugar Skulls have had a rough opening to 2021. They return home after a 10-point loss to the Arizona Rattlers in Phoenix but, undoubtedly, two-time IFL coach of the year Dixie Wooten will prepare his team to face the Pirates. It's the IFL's Game of the Week on Stadium and Wooten would love to come away with a win on national television. Demry Croft has been the general through the Sugar Skulls. He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 559 yards with 10 touchdowns and four picks. He also has 201 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Mike Jones is a prolific rusher with six scores and a rushing average of 31.3 yards per game. The Sugar Skulls' talented receiving corps consist of playmakers Kent Shelby II and Ryan Balentine. Each is capable of a big play at any time. On Defense, Delondo Boyd comes in with 20 tackles, while T.T. Barber has 19. Michael Ninter leads the Sugar Skulls with a pair of interceptions, and Boyd has another pick.

This week's IFL Schedule

Fri., June 18 - Bismarck Bucks (4-3) at Green Bay Blizzard (3-3), 5:05 p.m.
Sat., June 19 - Sioux Falls Storm (3-2) at Iowa Barnstormers (3-2), 5:05 p.m.
Sat., June 19 - Arizona Rattlers (3-1) at Duke City Gladiators (2-2) - (Rio Rancho Events Center), 5:05 p.m.
Sat., June 19 - Massachusetts Pirates (3-3) at Tucson Sugar Skulls (1-3), 6:05 p.m. (Stadium)
Sat., June 19 - Northern Arizona Wranglers (0-4) at Spokane Shock (3-1), 7:05 p.m.
Bye - Frisco Fighters (4-0)

IFL Standings



Helpful Links

IFL
Indoor Football League 2021 Schedule
Indoor Football League 2021 Franchise Index
2019 Indoor Football League Awards
SCtoC IFL 2019 Golden Helmet Awards
Indoor Football League Rules
IFL Franchise Index

INDIVIDUAL TEAM SCHEDULES
Arizona Rattlers
Bismarck Bucks
Duke City Gladiators
Frisco Fighters
Green Bay Blizzard
Iowa Barnstormers
Louisville Xtreme
Massachusetts Pirates
Northern Arizona Wranglers
Sioux Falls Storm
Spokane Shock
Tucson Sugar Skulls

INDIVIDUAL TEAM VITAL STATISTICS
Arizona Rattlers
Bismarck Bucks
Duke City Gladiators
Frisco Fighters
Green Bay Blizzard
Iowa Barnstormers
Louisville Xtreme
Massachusetts Pirates
Northern Arizona Wranglers
Sioux Falls Storm
Spokane Shock
Tucson Sugar Skulls

IFL Team Venues

Arizona Rattlers - Phoenix Suns Arena; Phoenix, Arizona
Bismarck Bucks - Bismarck Event Center; Bismarck, North Dakota
Duke City Gladiators - Tingley Coliseum; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Frisco Fighters - Comerica Center; Frisco, Texas
Green Bay Blizzard - Resch Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin
Iowa Barnstormers- Wells Fargo Arena; Des Moines, Iowa
Louisville Xtreme - KFC Yum! Center; Louisville, Kentucky
Massachusetts Pirates - DCU Center; Worcester, Massachusetts
Northern Arizona Wranglers - Findlay Toyota Center; Prescott Valley, Arizona
Sioux Falls Storm - Denny Sanford Premier Center; Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Spokane Shock - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena; Spokane, Washington
Tucson Sugar Skulls - Tucson Convention Center; Tucson, Arizona

IFL Geographical 2021 League Map




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[Monika]

Note: The over the air broadcast is not up. I've not checked the stream.

[Monika]

Final

Massachusetts Pirates - 37
Tucson Sugar Skulls - 34