Courtesy of the Massachusetts Pirates
LOWELL, MA – The Massachusetts Pirates delivered a much-needed performance on Thursday night, dominating the Jacksonville Sharks in a 43-29 victory at the Tsongas Center. The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Pirates and moves their record to 3-5 on the season, giving them a crucial boost in the playoff race.
Running back Pooka Williams Jr. was the star of the show for Massachusetts, exploding for 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. His powerful running game provided a consistent offensive spark that the Pirates had been missing in recent weeks.
The Pirates started fast, with Williams opening the scoring with a rushing touchdown. While the Sharks briefly took a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, the second quarter belonged entirely to Massachusetts. Quarterback Kenji Bahar provided a rushing touchdown to regain the lead, and then linebacker Marquis Waters made a critical play, sacking Sharks QB Tyler Huff in the end zone for a safety, extending the Pirates’ advantage to 16-10.
Wide receiver Isaac Zico then took over, hauling in two touchdown passes from Bahar, including a “Hail Mary” strike as time expired in the half, giving the Pirates a commanding 29-10 lead at the break.
The Sharks, however, showed resilience in the third quarter. Led by quarterback Tyler Huff, who made his starting debut, Jacksonville chipped away at the lead. Huff ran for two touchdowns, and a blocked extra point by Waters (his second big play of the game) kept the Pirates’ lead at 29-23 heading into the final quarter.
But the Pirates slammed the door shut in the fourth. Bahar converted a crucial “tush-push” touchdown run to open the quarter, extending the lead to 37-23 after a successful two-point conversion. On a key fourth-and-goal stand inside their own two-yard line, the Pirates’ defense held firm, thwarting a potential Sharks comeback and getting the ball back.
Pooka Williams Jr. then put the game out of reach with his second rushing touchdown of the night, giving Massachusetts a comfortable 43-23 lead with just over four minutes remaining. While the Sharks managed one more score late in the game, it was too little, too late.
Head Coach Tom Menas earned his first coaching victory with the Pirates, a significant milestone for the team. Alongside Williams’ dominant rushing performance, Bahar contributed 25 rushing yards and two touchdowns on five carries, while also completing 12 of 16 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns to Zico. Zico led all receivers with seven catches for 58 yards and his two scores.
Defensively, the Pirates held Jacksonville’s offense in check for much of the game, limiting them to 164 total yards compared to their own 262. Jonathan Huggins and Isaiah Reed each recorded nine tackles, while Tyrese Ross added eight.
This crucial victory not only ends the Pirates’ losing streak but also gives them a 2-1 lead in the three-game season series against the Sharks. With renewed momentum, the Massachusetts Pirates will look to carry this winning performance into their next matchups as they push for a spot in the playoffs.