Kickoff: The Pirates host the best team in the IFL tonight in the Frisco Fighters. Frisco is 8-1 on the season and already have a win over the Pirates, a 56-39 win on April 15th in Frisco. The Pirates have won three straight thanks to an explosive offense and a defense that is playing much better of late. The Pirates are undefeated at home and lead the all-time series between the teams 3-2. They are 2-1 at home against the Fighters.

Here are three keys to tonight’s game.

1.Throw T.J Edwards off his spot: Edwards is the leading passer in the IFL. He is accurate and he takes care of the football. The Pirates have to get consistent pressure on him and throw him off his spot. If he is allowed to hang back, read his progression and get the ball off on time, the Pirates are in trouble.

2. Offensive line must play well: Giving Anthony Russo time against a talented Frisco front is one of the biggest keys in this game. The Fighters have several defensive lineman who can effectively rush the passer. The Pirates need to be sound in pass pro. If they are not and have to commit skill players to the pass protection schemes, they will struggle to score tonight.

3. Defense needs to play it’s best game of the season: The defense is playing their best football of the season and will need to play their game of the season tonight if the Pirates are going to win. Getting pressure on Edwards and plastering down the field against a talented receiving corp are two big keys tonight.

Final Thoughts: The Pirates are playing their best football of the season. If they want to stay in the Eastern Division race or the playoff race all together, they need to win tonight. As good as Frisco has been the past two seasons, the Pirates have hung with them and gotten the better of them when it counts. Look for Massachusetts to play it’s best game of the season in a must win situation.