Post by alecs on Jun 1, 2024 20:39:43 GMT -8
Fighters 52, Pirates 48
6/1/24 --
FRISCO, TX - Saturday night at Comerica Center featured a high-profile Eastern Conference clash between the visiting Massachusetts Pirates and the Frisco Fighters. Despite a slow start from the hosts, the Fighters were able to rally from an early deficit on a magnificent effort from T.J. Edwards, who played in his first game since an injury suffered in Week 7 against San Antonio. In the end, the Fighters prevailed in a key win that turned out to be close until the very end, with the score 52 to 48 at the final buzzer.
Massachusetts started out hot, with a great kick return by Jimmie Robinson setting them up deep in Frisco territory. Two plays later, Robinson capped off the drive with a one-yard score for the first points of the game. After forcing a three-and-out and missed field goal attempt, the Pirates added to their lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Alejandro Bennifield to Thomas Owens. Another stop on defense by Massachusetts would keep the Fighters off the scoreboard for the first 15 minutes of the game, and after one quarter, the lead for the visitors stood at 13-0.
A big turning point in the game occurred early in the second quarter, as Alejandro Bennifield lost a fumble to Charles Williams, providing the Fighters the jolt they needed to claw back in the game. Four plays later, the Fighters found the scoreboard on a ten-yard rush by Jimmy Smith. The Fighters would continue the momentum with a fourth down stop on defense, which the offense would convert into a 39-yard field goal by Bryce Crawford. With less than a minute to go in the half, the Pirates extended their lead with another one-yard rush by Robinson. It gave the Fighters an opportunity with 30 seconds left to respond, and Frisco would succeed on a 11-yard pass on a rollout to Cole Blackman. After one half of play, the Fighters scratched back to trail by just a 19-17 margin, and possession of the ball to start the second half.
Frisco made the most of its deferral to the second half, as their first chunk play of the day came courtesy of Edwards, whose 36-yard keeper down the left side put the Fighters out in front for the first time in the contest. The Pirates would regain the advantage with Robinson completing his hat trick with a four-yard rushing score. Martez Carter would strike back and restore Frisco's advantage shortly after, with a go-ahead three-yard rumble into the endzone. Another four-yard rushing touchdown by Robinson would allow the Pirates to re-claim the lead, one that they would take into the fourth quarter, up 33-31.
Scoring quickly in the fourth quarter would be the Fighters, on a two-yard keeper by Edwards. The Pirates could not respond with its possession, though, failing to convert on a critical fourth down which gave the Fighters the ball with a five-point lead. Edwards would engineer another big touchdown play, this time with his arm on a 26-yard dart in the right corner of the endzone to Blackman. The Pirates were able to recover quickly, though, getting right back in the game with a 30-yard quick strike pass from Bennifield to Zico. Frisco would get another critical score with Edwards going to Richard Turner for an eight-yard touchdown play. Now needing a quick score and an onside kick recovery, the Pirates next drive would take the game down to the one-minute warning. With 16 seconds left, Bennifield found Owens on a three-yard passing score, and the two would connect on the ensuing two-point conversion to complete the "Octopus" for the longtime Pirates receiver. Calum Sutherland's attempt at an onside kick was snatched by Charles Williams of the Fighters, ending any hope for an odds-defying Pirates comeback. Frisco took victory formation shortly after to put the wraps on their 52-48 win.
T.J. Edwards did it all for the Fighters in his first game back from a four-game injury absence. The reigning IFL MVP completed ten of his 16 passing attempts for 114 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers in the win. He led the Fighters in rushing as well, with nine carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Cole Blackman paced Frisco's receiving corps with five catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Royce See led all players with ten tackles, while Jakharious Smith and Charles Williams each had a sack, the latter of whom also had a fumble recovery and the critical onside kick recovery to clinch the win.
Alejandro Bennifield had himself a solid game despite the loss, turning 30 pass attempts into 21 completions for 184 yards, with three touchdowns and one fumble lost. Jimmie Robinson put in another high-efficiency outing, with 11 carries for 52 yards and four touchdowns as a rusher to along with seven catches for 52 additional yards as a receiver. Isaac Zico logged his first game action since Week 6, and led his team with seven catches for 72 yards and a score. Thomas Owens caught four passes for 32 yards and a pair of scores. Devin Hafford and Jaiden Woodbey co-led Massachusetts with five tackles, while Guy Thomas logged a sack in the defeat.
The Pirates offense held a 224-193 advantage in yardage production on offense. Bennifield's second quarter fumble was the lone turnover by either team on the evening. Penalties were called fairly evenly, with Massachusetts rung up nine times for 61 yards and Frisco called eight times for 66 yards.
Despite their status as in-conference rivals, tonight's game is the only regular season meeting of 2024 between the Pirates and Fighters. Massachusetts still holds a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series, which does include a 2021 semifinal postseason win (43-22 Mass).
The Fighters (8-2) will visit the Quad City Steamwheelers (4-5) on Saturday June 8 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Pirates (6-4) will host the Green Bay Blizzard (8-2) on Saturday June 8 for a 10:05 a.m. kickoff. 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.
6/1/24 --
FRISCO, TX - Saturday night at Comerica Center featured a high-profile Eastern Conference clash between the visiting Massachusetts Pirates and the Frisco Fighters. Despite a slow start from the hosts, the Fighters were able to rally from an early deficit on a magnificent effort from T.J. Edwards, who played in his first game since an injury suffered in Week 7 against San Antonio. In the end, the Fighters prevailed in a key win that turned out to be close until the very end, with the score 52 to 48 at the final buzzer.
Massachusetts started out hot, with a great kick return by Jimmie Robinson setting them up deep in Frisco territory. Two plays later, Robinson capped off the drive with a one-yard score for the first points of the game. After forcing a three-and-out and missed field goal attempt, the Pirates added to their lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Alejandro Bennifield to Thomas Owens. Another stop on defense by Massachusetts would keep the Fighters off the scoreboard for the first 15 minutes of the game, and after one quarter, the lead for the visitors stood at 13-0.
A big turning point in the game occurred early in the second quarter, as Alejandro Bennifield lost a fumble to Charles Williams, providing the Fighters the jolt they needed to claw back in the game. Four plays later, the Fighters found the scoreboard on a ten-yard rush by Jimmy Smith. The Fighters would continue the momentum with a fourth down stop on defense, which the offense would convert into a 39-yard field goal by Bryce Crawford. With less than a minute to go in the half, the Pirates extended their lead with another one-yard rush by Robinson. It gave the Fighters an opportunity with 30 seconds left to respond, and Frisco would succeed on a 11-yard pass on a rollout to Cole Blackman. After one half of play, the Fighters scratched back to trail by just a 19-17 margin, and possession of the ball to start the second half.
Frisco made the most of its deferral to the second half, as their first chunk play of the day came courtesy of Edwards, whose 36-yard keeper down the left side put the Fighters out in front for the first time in the contest. The Pirates would regain the advantage with Robinson completing his hat trick with a four-yard rushing score. Martez Carter would strike back and restore Frisco's advantage shortly after, with a go-ahead three-yard rumble into the endzone. Another four-yard rushing touchdown by Robinson would allow the Pirates to re-claim the lead, one that they would take into the fourth quarter, up 33-31.
Scoring quickly in the fourth quarter would be the Fighters, on a two-yard keeper by Edwards. The Pirates could not respond with its possession, though, failing to convert on a critical fourth down which gave the Fighters the ball with a five-point lead. Edwards would engineer another big touchdown play, this time with his arm on a 26-yard dart in the right corner of the endzone to Blackman. The Pirates were able to recover quickly, though, getting right back in the game with a 30-yard quick strike pass from Bennifield to Zico. Frisco would get another critical score with Edwards going to Richard Turner for an eight-yard touchdown play. Now needing a quick score and an onside kick recovery, the Pirates next drive would take the game down to the one-minute warning. With 16 seconds left, Bennifield found Owens on a three-yard passing score, and the two would connect on the ensuing two-point conversion to complete the "Octopus" for the longtime Pirates receiver. Calum Sutherland's attempt at an onside kick was snatched by Charles Williams of the Fighters, ending any hope for an odds-defying Pirates comeback. Frisco took victory formation shortly after to put the wraps on their 52-48 win.
T.J. Edwards did it all for the Fighters in his first game back from a four-game injury absence. The reigning IFL MVP completed ten of his 16 passing attempts for 114 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers in the win. He led the Fighters in rushing as well, with nine carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Cole Blackman paced Frisco's receiving corps with five catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Royce See led all players with ten tackles, while Jakharious Smith and Charles Williams each had a sack, the latter of whom also had a fumble recovery and the critical onside kick recovery to clinch the win.
Alejandro Bennifield had himself a solid game despite the loss, turning 30 pass attempts into 21 completions for 184 yards, with three touchdowns and one fumble lost. Jimmie Robinson put in another high-efficiency outing, with 11 carries for 52 yards and four touchdowns as a rusher to along with seven catches for 52 additional yards as a receiver. Isaac Zico logged his first game action since Week 6, and led his team with seven catches for 72 yards and a score. Thomas Owens caught four passes for 32 yards and a pair of scores. Devin Hafford and Jaiden Woodbey co-led Massachusetts with five tackles, while Guy Thomas logged a sack in the defeat.
The Pirates offense held a 224-193 advantage in yardage production on offense. Bennifield's second quarter fumble was the lone turnover by either team on the evening. Penalties were called fairly evenly, with Massachusetts rung up nine times for 61 yards and Frisco called eight times for 66 yards.
Despite their status as in-conference rivals, tonight's game is the only regular season meeting of 2024 between the Pirates and Fighters. Massachusetts still holds a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series, which does include a 2021 semifinal postseason win (43-22 Mass).
The Fighters (8-2) will visit the Quad City Steamwheelers (4-5) on Saturday June 8 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Pirates (6-4) will host the Green Bay Blizzard (8-2) on Saturday June 8 for a 10:05 a.m. kickoff. 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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