Courtesy of the Massachusetts Pirates
The Massachusetts Pirates (4-5) flexed their defensive muscles in a dominant second half last night enroute to a 40-23 road win last night against the Fishers Freight (2-8) at the Fishers Event Center. This marks the second time this season the Pirates have defeated the Freight, extending Fishers’ losing streak to eight games.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw the Freight hold a slim 15-14 lead, the Pirates’ defense completely shut down Fishers in the third quarter, allowing zero points and seizing control of the game. This pivotal defensive stand included four consecutive stops in the second half, effectively squashing any hope of a Freight comeback.
“We talked at halftime about executing on every play and trusting our assignments,” said Pirates Head Coach Tom Menas after the game. “Our defense stepped up big time. They were relentless in their pursuit and made crucial plays when it mattered most.”
Quarterback Kenji Bahar led the Pirates’ offense, throwing four touchdown passes, with wide receiver Thomas Owens being a frequent target, snagging three of those scores. Teo Redding also hauled in a touchdown pass for Massachusetts. Bahar wasn’t just a passer, adding a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap off a well-rounded performance. Kicker Joshua Gable converted all of his extra points and added a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Freight initially jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the first quarter on a Carlos Davis touchdown run and a subsequent deuce on the kickoff. However, the Pirates quickly responded, taking a 14-9 lead in the second quarter before the Freight regained a one-point advantage heading into the locker room.
The second half was a different story entirely. Massachusetts opened the third quarter with a quick score, and from there, the momentum firmly swung in their favor. They extended their lead to 30-15 by the end of the third, and never looked back. While the Freight managed a late touchdown and two-point conversion in the final seconds, it was purely for cosmetic purposes.
The Pirates improved 4-5 on the season. Massachusetts has now won two in a row. The defense, a unit that has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, delivered a championship-level performance in the second half. For the Fishers Freight, the loss adds to what has been a challenging inaugural season, leaving them searching for answers to break their extended losing skid.
The Pirates’ next game will be next Saturday, June 14, on the road in Des Moines vs. the Iowa Barnstormers. The game will kick-off at 8:05 pm.