Post by alecs on Jul 27, 2024 19:26:54 GMT -8
Pirates 53, Fighters 50
7/27/24 --
FRISCO, TX - IFL fans looking for more electric scoring action than last night's game got exactly what they bargained for on Saturday night at Comerica Center. The second all-time playoff meeting between the visiting Massachusetts Pirates and Frisco Fighters kept fans highly engaged from the opening kick to the final whistle. Despite trailing by as many as 16 points, Alejandro Bennifield led a stellar offensive effort that kept the Pirates in the conversation all evening, ultimately finding the big plays late in the fourth quarter to come out on top. In what stands as the first big upset of the 2024 postseason, the Pirates overcome the powerhouse Fighters by a 53-50 final.
Massachusetts secures its spot in their first ever Eastern Conference Final, which will take place at the home of the Blizzard in Green Bay's Resch Center. That game has been scheduled for Friday August 2, with kickoff at 5 p.m. The win was also the first for the Pirates in postseason play since their championship-clinching win at Arizona for the franchise's first league title in 2021.
Frisco opened the game with a six-minute scoring drive, taking the game's first lead on a 15-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Edwards to leading receiver Phazione McClurge. The Pirates equaled that effort with a six-play possession, tying the game on a six-yard pass from Bennifield to longtime partner-in-crime Thomas Owens. The quarter came to a close after a one-yard keeper by Edwards, but Crawford's PAT missed wide, leaving the score showing the 13 points to the Fighters compared to the seven for the Pirates.
Massachusetts led another efficient offensive drive, gaining a one-point advantage after a 17-yard receiving touchdown by Teo Redding. The Fighters grinded their way through another five-minute scoring drive, with Martez Carter taking a sweep to the far side for a one-yard score. The next drive for the Pirates contained their first big mistake of the ballgame - a pass from Bennifield intended for Owens was read beautifully by defensive back Lionell McConnell, stepping in front of the pass and taking it uncontested for a 29-yard pick six to put the Fighters ahead by a pair of touchdowns. With 49 seconds remaining in the half, Massachusetts recovered nicely, eating into the deficit thanks to a one-yard keeper by Bennifield. Frisco managed the remainder of the first-half clock perfectly, with Edwards finding McClurge on a beautiful six-yard fade at the corner of the endzone with just two seconds to spare. The clutch drive propelled the Fighters to a 34-20 halftime advantage.
The Pirates embarked on their opening second-half drive, but not before Bryce Crawford nailed a deuce to enlarge the lead to a game-high 16 points. On a drive featuring a critical fourth-and-seven conversion early, the Pirates scored a touchdown while bleeding seven minutes off the clock, with Jimmie Robinson securing a two-yard touchdown run. Henry Nell would match Crawford's deuce with one of his own to reduce the Frisco lead to seven points. The Pirates defense was still left seeking answers, though, as the Fighters hit a chunk play for a score, with McClurge on the receiving end of a 19-yard touchdown pass to complete the hat trick. Right before the end of the quarter, the Pirates struck back, with Bennifield finding a wide-open Redding on the right side for a 22-yard touchdown pass. It was a much-needed play for the visitors from the Bay Staters, who entered the fourth quarter down 43-36 and needing to continue their rally.
Frisco scored its sixth touchdown on its sixth offensive possession, finally breaking the big run with Carter's 33-yard rumble down the far side restoring the Fighters' two-touchdown advantage. Faced with a third-and-seven close to the endzone, the veteran Bennifield again turned back the clock on a clutch 16-yard pass to Thomas Owens. Nell's attempt at the drop kick failed, but he made up for that with another deuce to claw back within six points. The third-ranked Pirates defense, which had struggled all evening, finally managed its first defensive stop with just under six minutes left in the game, with a fourth down pass by Edwards going incomplete, awarding the Pirates the ball with a first-and-goal opportunity. Massachusetts capitalized on the hard-earned chance, with the ever-reliable connection of Bennifield and Owens striking once more. The five-yard touchdown pass, coupled with a successful PAT from Nell, gave the Pirates their first lead since early in the second quarter. Nell would provide the encore with his third deuce to run the lead to three points. Following a series of incomplete passes from Edwards, the Fighters stared down a fourth and nine from their own 18-yard line, needing a conversion or defensive penalty to keep their season alive. A majestic endzone pass from Edwards was very nearly hauled in by a diving McClurge, but the receiver was unable to maintain control of the ball as he hit the turf. A Frisco challenge for an illegal twist by Massachusetts went for naught, and the Pirates took victory formation to finalize their biggest win of the season, defeating their fierce Lone Star State rivals, 53-50.
Alejandro Bennifield led the Pirates win with 13 completions on 20 pass attempts for 152 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. The former Chattanooga Moc added three rushes for 17 yards and an additional score. Jimmie Robinson, the two-time IFL rushing champion, took 18 totes for 96 yards and a touchdown, with three receptions for 35 yards in the passing game. Thomas Owens caught six passes for 56 yards and three touchdowns, while both of Teo Redding's receptions went for touchdowns while totaling 39 yards. Three Pirates led the defensive charge with eight tackles, Paris Ford, Matt Elam, and Jaiden Woodbey. Israel Antwine recorded the unit's lone sack in his first game back from Short-Term IR. Henry Nell made a big impact on the game with three second-half deuces.
T.J. Edwards connected on 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 113 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding 48 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. Martez Carter rushed 12 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Only two Fighters receivers recorded receptions, Spencer Tears (7/68) and Phazione McClurge (4/45/3). Former Pirate Eugene Ford co-led the Fighters with seven tackles, along with Tyrell Pearson. Lionell McConnell had the game's lone takeaway with his second quarter pick-six.
The offenses were humming all evening for both teams, with Massachusetts ultimately outgaining Frisco in total yardage, 255-221. The Pirates' win comes despite ending the game a minus-one in turnover differential. Massachusetts had to overcome ten penalties for 67 yards, while Frisco played a much cleaner game with just three penalties for 17 yards.
The Pirates (9-8) remain perfect against the Fighters in the postseason, with tonight's victory now paired with their 43-22 win in the 2021 Semifinal Round. All-Time, the Pirates lead this series five games to three, as Massachusetts has accounted for five of Frisco's 14 all-time defeats. Massachusetts also avenges their loss earlier in the season against Frisco back on June 1st.
2024 Head to Head: June 1 - Fighters (H) 52, Pirates 48.
All playoff games with the exception of the National Championship Game will be streamed live on the Stadium 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
7/27/24 --
FRISCO, TX - IFL fans looking for more electric scoring action than last night's game got exactly what they bargained for on Saturday night at Comerica Center. The second all-time playoff meeting between the visiting Massachusetts Pirates and Frisco Fighters kept fans highly engaged from the opening kick to the final whistle. Despite trailing by as many as 16 points, Alejandro Bennifield led a stellar offensive effort that kept the Pirates in the conversation all evening, ultimately finding the big plays late in the fourth quarter to come out on top. In what stands as the first big upset of the 2024 postseason, the Pirates overcome the powerhouse Fighters by a 53-50 final.
Massachusetts secures its spot in their first ever Eastern Conference Final, which will take place at the home of the Blizzard in Green Bay's Resch Center. That game has been scheduled for Friday August 2, with kickoff at 5 p.m. The win was also the first for the Pirates in postseason play since their championship-clinching win at Arizona for the franchise's first league title in 2021.
Frisco opened the game with a six-minute scoring drive, taking the game's first lead on a 15-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Edwards to leading receiver Phazione McClurge. The Pirates equaled that effort with a six-play possession, tying the game on a six-yard pass from Bennifield to longtime partner-in-crime Thomas Owens. The quarter came to a close after a one-yard keeper by Edwards, but Crawford's PAT missed wide, leaving the score showing the 13 points to the Fighters compared to the seven for the Pirates.
Massachusetts led another efficient offensive drive, gaining a one-point advantage after a 17-yard receiving touchdown by Teo Redding. The Fighters grinded their way through another five-minute scoring drive, with Martez Carter taking a sweep to the far side for a one-yard score. The next drive for the Pirates contained their first big mistake of the ballgame - a pass from Bennifield intended for Owens was read beautifully by defensive back Lionell McConnell, stepping in front of the pass and taking it uncontested for a 29-yard pick six to put the Fighters ahead by a pair of touchdowns. With 49 seconds remaining in the half, Massachusetts recovered nicely, eating into the deficit thanks to a one-yard keeper by Bennifield. Frisco managed the remainder of the first-half clock perfectly, with Edwards finding McClurge on a beautiful six-yard fade at the corner of the endzone with just two seconds to spare. The clutch drive propelled the Fighters to a 34-20 halftime advantage.
The Pirates embarked on their opening second-half drive, but not before Bryce Crawford nailed a deuce to enlarge the lead to a game-high 16 points. On a drive featuring a critical fourth-and-seven conversion early, the Pirates scored a touchdown while bleeding seven minutes off the clock, with Jimmie Robinson securing a two-yard touchdown run. Henry Nell would match Crawford's deuce with one of his own to reduce the Frisco lead to seven points. The Pirates defense was still left seeking answers, though, as the Fighters hit a chunk play for a score, with McClurge on the receiving end of a 19-yard touchdown pass to complete the hat trick. Right before the end of the quarter, the Pirates struck back, with Bennifield finding a wide-open Redding on the right side for a 22-yard touchdown pass. It was a much-needed play for the visitors from the Bay Staters, who entered the fourth quarter down 43-36 and needing to continue their rally.
Frisco scored its sixth touchdown on its sixth offensive possession, finally breaking the big run with Carter's 33-yard rumble down the far side restoring the Fighters' two-touchdown advantage. Faced with a third-and-seven close to the endzone, the veteran Bennifield again turned back the clock on a clutch 16-yard pass to Thomas Owens. Nell's attempt at the drop kick failed, but he made up for that with another deuce to claw back within six points. The third-ranked Pirates defense, which had struggled all evening, finally managed its first defensive stop with just under six minutes left in the game, with a fourth down pass by Edwards going incomplete, awarding the Pirates the ball with a first-and-goal opportunity. Massachusetts capitalized on the hard-earned chance, with the ever-reliable connection of Bennifield and Owens striking once more. The five-yard touchdown pass, coupled with a successful PAT from Nell, gave the Pirates their first lead since early in the second quarter. Nell would provide the encore with his third deuce to run the lead to three points. Following a series of incomplete passes from Edwards, the Fighters stared down a fourth and nine from their own 18-yard line, needing a conversion or defensive penalty to keep their season alive. A majestic endzone pass from Edwards was very nearly hauled in by a diving McClurge, but the receiver was unable to maintain control of the ball as he hit the turf. A Frisco challenge for an illegal twist by Massachusetts went for naught, and the Pirates took victory formation to finalize their biggest win of the season, defeating their fierce Lone Star State rivals, 53-50.
Alejandro Bennifield led the Pirates win with 13 completions on 20 pass attempts for 152 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. The former Chattanooga Moc added three rushes for 17 yards and an additional score. Jimmie Robinson, the two-time IFL rushing champion, took 18 totes for 96 yards and a touchdown, with three receptions for 35 yards in the passing game. Thomas Owens caught six passes for 56 yards and three touchdowns, while both of Teo Redding's receptions went for touchdowns while totaling 39 yards. Three Pirates led the defensive charge with eight tackles, Paris Ford, Matt Elam, and Jaiden Woodbey. Israel Antwine recorded the unit's lone sack in his first game back from Short-Term IR. Henry Nell made a big impact on the game with three second-half deuces.
T.J. Edwards connected on 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 113 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding 48 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. Martez Carter rushed 12 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Only two Fighters receivers recorded receptions, Spencer Tears (7/68) and Phazione McClurge (4/45/3). Former Pirate Eugene Ford co-led the Fighters with seven tackles, along with Tyrell Pearson. Lionell McConnell had the game's lone takeaway with his second quarter pick-six.
The offenses were humming all evening for both teams, with Massachusetts ultimately outgaining Frisco in total yardage, 255-221. The Pirates' win comes despite ending the game a minus-one in turnover differential. Massachusetts had to overcome ten penalties for 67 yards, while Frisco played a much cleaner game with just three penalties for 17 yards.
The Pirates (9-8) remain perfect against the Fighters in the postseason, with tonight's victory now paired with their 43-22 win in the 2021 Semifinal Round. All-Time, the Pirates lead this series five games to three, as Massachusetts has accounted for five of Frisco's 14 all-time defeats. Massachusetts also avenges their loss earlier in the season against Frisco back on June 1st.
2024 Head to Head: June 1 - Fighters (H) 52, Pirates 48.
All playoff games with the exception of the National Championship Game will be streamed live on the Stadium 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-AS
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