Pirates – New England Football Journal®

Sharks 46, Pirates 25: Pirates struggle in season opening loss

March 22, 2025

Courtesy of the IFL The Massachusetts Pirates kicked off the 2025 season with a 46-25 loss to the Jacksonville Sharks. It was a disappointing opener for the team in front of their fans. Running back Pooka Williams was the lone bright spot, scoring three touchdowns for the Pirates but it wasn’t enough as Massachusetts fell behind early and struggled to mount a consistent offensive attack. Turnovers were the story. Massachusetts…

Pirates Preview: Familiar faces, new faces to make the difference for the Pirates this season

March 21, 2025

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The Massachusetts Pirates are back as they kick off their season on Friday night at home against the Jacksonville Sharks. The Pirates return 10 players from last year’s Eastern Conference Championship team with four on offense and six on defense. The offense has also added two players who have previously played in Massachusetts. Offensively, the three headed receiving monster of Thomas Owens, Issac Zico and Teo Redding returns. Owens, Pirates…

Pirates magical run ends with tough loss to Arizona

August 19, 2024

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Image courtesy of the IFL HENDERSON, NV- The Massachusetts Pirates lost their bid for a second IFL title in three years after a 53-16 loss to the Arizona Rattlers. Arizona jumped all over the Pirates early. Quarterback Dalton Sneed hit Jamal Miles in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown, putting Arizona up 8-0 in the first quarter. The score would stay that way into the second quarter. The Rattlers…

IFL Championship Game Preview: Massachusetts Pirates vs. Arizona Rattlers

August 17, 2024

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Courtesy of the IFL The IFL Championship game is finally here. The Massachusetts Pirates face off against the Arizona Rattlers in Henderson, Nevada. With a win, Massachusetts would win their second IFL title in three years. This will be the second meeting between the teams in the championship game. Arizona leads the all-time regular season series 2-1, but with the addition of the 2021 United Bowl victory, the overall series…

Pirates advance to IFL Championship game with impressive 51-28 win over Green Bay

August 4, 2024

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Images courtesy of the Massachusetts Pirates The Massachusetts Pirates thumped the Green Bay Blizzard on Friday night, 51-28 to advance to the IFL Championship game on Saturday August 17th in Henderson, Nevada. The Pirates will have to wait until Monday to find out who their opponent will be. They will either face the San Diego Strike Force or the Arizona Rattlers. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield completed 10 of 15 passes for…

Pirates Preview: Massachusetts Pirates (9-8) at Green Bay Blizzard (14-3)

August 2, 2024

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The Pirates shocked the IFL last week by knocking off the Frisco Fighters 53-50 in a come from behind win. Now they turn their attention to the number one seeded Green Bay Blizzard. The two teams last met on June 8th with the Blizzard prevailing 36-33. The Pirates lead the all-time series between the two teams 5-3. Here are three keys for the Pirates tonight if they want to advance…

Pirates Playoff Preview: Massachusetts Pirates (8-8) at Frisco Fighters (13-3)

July 27, 2024

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Courtesy of the IFL The 3 seed Pirates face a familiar foe in round one of the IFL playoffs when they travel to Frisco, Texas to take on the #2 seed Frisco Fighters. Frisco won the lone meeting of this past season on June 1st, 52-48. Despite the loss, the Pirates are 4-3 all-time against Frisco including a 43-22 playoff in the semifinals of the 2021 playoffs. The Pirates…

Pirates end regular season with a disappointing 44-24 loss to Tulsa

July 20, 2024

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Courtesy of the IFL/Tulsa Oilers It wasn’t the finish to the regular season the Pirates we’re hoping for. Massachusetts dropped the season finale to the Tulsa Oilers 44-24. Tulsa has traditionally played the Pirates tough in their short history. Despite being 3-0 against the Oilers all-time, the Pirates only beat them 23-22 at home on May 25th. The Pirates opened the scoring on a field goal by Henry Nell to…

Pirates Preview: Massachusetts Pirates (8-7) at Tulsa Oilers (5-10)

July 19, 2024

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The Pirates wrap up the regular season with a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma to take on the Tulsa Oilers. The Pirates had a bye week last week after losing a tough one to San Antonio, 58-55 the week prior. The Pirates are 3-0 all-time against the Oilers. They beat Tulsa 23-22 at Tsongas Arena on May 25th. Here are three keys for tonight’s game. 1. Shake off the rust: Pirates…

Pirates qualify for playoffs with an impressive win over Quad City

July 3, 2024

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It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Massachusetts Pirates this season but they have put it all together the last two weeks and the end result is a playoff birth thanks to their 52-35 win over Quad City on Monday night. Spearheaded by quarterback Alejandro Bennifield who completed 13-of-15 passes for 132 yards and five touchdown passes, the Pirates improved to 8-6 on the season and are making the…

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