Post by alecs on Apr 27, 2024 19:24:13 GMT -8
Pirates 43, Storm 38
4/27/24 --
FARGO, ND - For the first time since the 2022 season, an Indoor Football League game was contested within the state of North Dakota. In an Eastern Conference clash, the Massachusetts Pirates and Sioux Falls renewed their rivalry for the second time this season in a game held at Scheels Arena in Fargo, the future home of the Dakota Bucks. In a choppy and penalty-ridden contest, it would be the visiting Pirates who emerged with the coveted win by a final score of 43 to 38, giving them sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Pirates possessed the ball first and wasted little time in drawing first blood, with the opening touchdown provided by a 17-yard run by Jimmie Robinson. The Storm were equally as quick in their response, tying the game with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Billy Hall to Kentrez Bell. The second drive for Massachusetts came down to a fourth down conversion, which they got with an eight-yard pass from Connor Degenhardt to Teo Redding. The first defensive stand would be made by the Pirates, closing out the first quarter with a four-and-out of the Sioux Falls offense. The Pirates took over with a seven-point lead to begin the second quarter.
The Storm defense prevented the Pirates from finding the endzone on that resulting drive, bringing out Josh Gable who connected on a 27-yard field goal, bumping the Massachusetts lead to ten. After a great kickoff return set up a goal-to-go for Sioux Falls, Billy Hall connected with Carlos Thompson on a one-yard passing touchdown to bring the Pirate lead down to 17-14. The next drive for the Pirates would be hindered by penalties, resulting in a Degenhardt pass being intercepted at the goal line by Cedric Williams for the Storm. The offense was unable to capitalize, however, with another fourth down resulting in a Pirate takeaway deep in Storm territory. But Degenhardt would be victimized by another interception, this time with Ken Gladney, Jr. gathering the pick. With 45 seconds remaining in the half, Hall would record his first rushing touchdown of the game (two yards) to give Sioux Falls its first lead of the ballgame. That gave just enough time for one last shot for the Pirates, which they capitalized on with a six-yard pass from Degenhardt to Thomas Owens with 13 seconds to go. That served as the last scoring play of the half, with Massachusetts ahead by three at the midway point despite taking 11 penalties in the game's first 30 minutes.
With their first possession of the second half, Sioux Falls would regain the lead, thanks to Hall's second rushing touchdown of four yards. Massachusetts would immediately commit another self-inflicted miscue, with a muffed handoff by Degenhardt recovered by the Storm defense, however this was negated by an illegal twist call. The Pirates would make good of the fresh opportunity, re-taking the lead with a one-yard rush by Robinson. With another fantastic return setting up the Sioux Falls offense inside the Pirates five-yard line, the Storm would run the clock to the end of the third quarter, trailing the Pirates 31-28.
After a pair of unsuccessful passes into the endzone, the Storm brought in Dean Sarris for a field goal attempt of 20 yards, which he put right down the middle to knot the game back up at 31 apiece. The Pirates would regain the lead on an incredible individual play from Redding, bringing in a 25-yard pass from Degenhardt in which he ripped the ball from the clutches of a defensive back. Sioux Falls would eventually be faced with a fourth and one in their own territory, but a rushing play was snuffed out by the Pirates for a critical turnover on downs. On the very next play, Degenhardt tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Owens, extending the Pirate lead to its largest of the evening. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, though, so the Pirates would have to settle for a 43-31 advantage with six minutes left to play. With the Storm's next possession driving inside the one-minute warning, Hall would make a key game-saving play with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Bell, bringing the score to 43-38. With an onside kick attempt coming up empty, the Pirates took over with 55 seconds remaining. After a costly personal foul call on Claude Davis, resulting in his ejection, Massachusetts took victory formation to close out their fifth win of the campaign.
Connor Degenhardt started at quarterback for the Pirates in place of Alejandro Bennifield, who was a late scratch. The Holy Cross and New Haven product completed 15 of 20 passes for 163 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 27 yards on four rushing attempts. Jimmie Robinson had a signature game, with 13 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns while adding four receptions for an additional 40 yards. Thomas Owens (6/64/2) and Teo Redding (5/59/2) each had a pair of receiving touchdowns. Calvin Bundage led the Pirates with ten tackles, and Julius Turner recorded a sack in the Massachusetts win.
Billy Hall completed nine of his 16 pass attempts for 85 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 17 times for 78 yards and two more scores. Kentrez Bell was the leading receiver, with four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Bryson Denley logged ten touches for 40 scoreless yards. Amin Black led all Storm defenders with ten tackles, while Ken Gladney, Jr. and Cedric Williams each had an interception for the Storm despite the defeat.
On offense, Massachusetts outgained Sioux Falls 218-172, even with the Storm recording triple-digit rushing yards (107). The Storm ended the game with a better turnover differential than the Pirates, at plus-two. It was also an unusually busy game for the officials, who repeatedly tossed the laundry on the turf while pegging the teams for over 30 combined penalties. Massachusetts was guilty 19 times for 126 yards, and Sioux Falls was flagged 12 times adding up to 76 yards.
The Pirates complete the two game season sweep over the Storm and now hold a four to two advantage in the all-time series.
The game was presented by the Dakota Bucks (formerly of Bismarck) who have been dormant since 2022 while working on issues related to North Dakota Workforce Safety Insurance. The Bucks are anticipating a return to action in 2025 with a possible relocation to Fargo, in the eastern portion of North Dakota, right along the Minnesota border. This year’s matchup between the Pirates and Storm counts as a home game for the Storm and an away contest for the Pirates for administrative purposes. It has not been announced whether this event will be repeated in future seasons.
The Storm (0-5) will host the Green Bay Blizzard (4-1) on Friday May 3 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. The Pirates (5-1) have a bye next week and are back in action on Saturday May 11 when they wrap up their three-game road trip against the Iowa Barnstormers (0-5) with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
4/27/24 --
FARGO, ND - For the first time since the 2022 season, an Indoor Football League game was contested within the state of North Dakota. In an Eastern Conference clash, the Massachusetts Pirates and Sioux Falls renewed their rivalry for the second time this season in a game held at Scheels Arena in Fargo, the future home of the Dakota Bucks. In a choppy and penalty-ridden contest, it would be the visiting Pirates who emerged with the coveted win by a final score of 43 to 38, giving them sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Pirates possessed the ball first and wasted little time in drawing first blood, with the opening touchdown provided by a 17-yard run by Jimmie Robinson. The Storm were equally as quick in their response, tying the game with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Billy Hall to Kentrez Bell. The second drive for Massachusetts came down to a fourth down conversion, which they got with an eight-yard pass from Connor Degenhardt to Teo Redding. The first defensive stand would be made by the Pirates, closing out the first quarter with a four-and-out of the Sioux Falls offense. The Pirates took over with a seven-point lead to begin the second quarter.
The Storm defense prevented the Pirates from finding the endzone on that resulting drive, bringing out Josh Gable who connected on a 27-yard field goal, bumping the Massachusetts lead to ten. After a great kickoff return set up a goal-to-go for Sioux Falls, Billy Hall connected with Carlos Thompson on a one-yard passing touchdown to bring the Pirate lead down to 17-14. The next drive for the Pirates would be hindered by penalties, resulting in a Degenhardt pass being intercepted at the goal line by Cedric Williams for the Storm. The offense was unable to capitalize, however, with another fourth down resulting in a Pirate takeaway deep in Storm territory. But Degenhardt would be victimized by another interception, this time with Ken Gladney, Jr. gathering the pick. With 45 seconds remaining in the half, Hall would record his first rushing touchdown of the game (two yards) to give Sioux Falls its first lead of the ballgame. That gave just enough time for one last shot for the Pirates, which they capitalized on with a six-yard pass from Degenhardt to Thomas Owens with 13 seconds to go. That served as the last scoring play of the half, with Massachusetts ahead by three at the midway point despite taking 11 penalties in the game's first 30 minutes.
With their first possession of the second half, Sioux Falls would regain the lead, thanks to Hall's second rushing touchdown of four yards. Massachusetts would immediately commit another self-inflicted miscue, with a muffed handoff by Degenhardt recovered by the Storm defense, however this was negated by an illegal twist call. The Pirates would make good of the fresh opportunity, re-taking the lead with a one-yard rush by Robinson. With another fantastic return setting up the Sioux Falls offense inside the Pirates five-yard line, the Storm would run the clock to the end of the third quarter, trailing the Pirates 31-28.
After a pair of unsuccessful passes into the endzone, the Storm brought in Dean Sarris for a field goal attempt of 20 yards, which he put right down the middle to knot the game back up at 31 apiece. The Pirates would regain the lead on an incredible individual play from Redding, bringing in a 25-yard pass from Degenhardt in which he ripped the ball from the clutches of a defensive back. Sioux Falls would eventually be faced with a fourth and one in their own territory, but a rushing play was snuffed out by the Pirates for a critical turnover on downs. On the very next play, Degenhardt tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Owens, extending the Pirate lead to its largest of the evening. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, though, so the Pirates would have to settle for a 43-31 advantage with six minutes left to play. With the Storm's next possession driving inside the one-minute warning, Hall would make a key game-saving play with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Bell, bringing the score to 43-38. With an onside kick attempt coming up empty, the Pirates took over with 55 seconds remaining. After a costly personal foul call on Claude Davis, resulting in his ejection, Massachusetts took victory formation to close out their fifth win of the campaign.
Connor Degenhardt started at quarterback for the Pirates in place of Alejandro Bennifield, who was a late scratch. The Holy Cross and New Haven product completed 15 of 20 passes for 163 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 27 yards on four rushing attempts. Jimmie Robinson had a signature game, with 13 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns while adding four receptions for an additional 40 yards. Thomas Owens (6/64/2) and Teo Redding (5/59/2) each had a pair of receiving touchdowns. Calvin Bundage led the Pirates with ten tackles, and Julius Turner recorded a sack in the Massachusetts win.
Billy Hall completed nine of his 16 pass attempts for 85 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 17 times for 78 yards and two more scores. Kentrez Bell was the leading receiver, with four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Bryson Denley logged ten touches for 40 scoreless yards. Amin Black led all Storm defenders with ten tackles, while Ken Gladney, Jr. and Cedric Williams each had an interception for the Storm despite the defeat.
On offense, Massachusetts outgained Sioux Falls 218-172, even with the Storm recording triple-digit rushing yards (107). The Storm ended the game with a better turnover differential than the Pirates, at plus-two. It was also an unusually busy game for the officials, who repeatedly tossed the laundry on the turf while pegging the teams for over 30 combined penalties. Massachusetts was guilty 19 times for 126 yards, and Sioux Falls was flagged 12 times adding up to 76 yards.
The Pirates complete the two game season sweep over the Storm and now hold a four to two advantage in the all-time series.
The game was presented by the Dakota Bucks (formerly of Bismarck) who have been dormant since 2022 while working on issues related to North Dakota Workforce Safety Insurance. The Bucks are anticipating a return to action in 2025 with a possible relocation to Fargo, in the eastern portion of North Dakota, right along the Minnesota border. This year’s matchup between the Pirates and Storm counts as a home game for the Storm and an away contest for the Pirates for administrative purposes. It has not been announced whether this event will be repeated in future seasons.
The Storm (0-5) will host the Green Bay Blizzard (4-1) on Friday May 3 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. The Pirates (5-1) have a bye next week and are back in action on Saturday May 11 when they wrap up their three-game road trip against the Iowa Barnstormers (0-5) with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-AS
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