PIRATES DEFEAT STORM IN FINAL SECONDS
WORCESTER, MA - Massachusetts Pirates back-up quarterback Mike Glass III threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Thomas Owens with six seconds to play leading the Pirates to a 43-42 victory over the Sioux Falls Storm at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center. The game featured ten lead changes as the Pirates ran their record to 6-3 while the Storm fell to 4-5.
The Pirates opened the scoring in the first quarter as quarterback Alejandro Bennifield hit wideout Isaac Zico with a ten-yard pass. The point after was missed by kicker Craig Peterson and Massachusetts led six-nothing. The teams would then trade scores on the next six possessions in the first half.
The Storm displayed an impressive ground game and established it early as wide receiver Tim Keith carried ten yards for a touchdown and Sawyer Petre’s extra point put Sioux Falls up by one. The quarter ended with Darren Carrington catching a 22-yard pass from Bennifield, giving the Pirates a 13-7 lead.
The Storm answered to start the second quarter as running back Nate Chavious scored on an 11-yard scamper for a 14-13 advantage. Bennifield continued his torrid pace, capping a six-play drive by finding Thomas Owens on a 15-yard scoring play to put Massachusetts up 20-14.
Two plays later the Storm had the lead. Quarterback Dalton Sneed threw his first touchdown pass of the game to a wide-open Aaron Dilworth who slid behind the coverage for a 27-yard TD and with 7:34 remaining in the half, Sioux Falls was up by one. In the first half however, Bennifield had all the answers. He spread the ball around to four different players on a four-play, 41-yard drive that culminated with Carrington pulling in his second touchdown of the game with a 24-yard reception as the Pirates led 27-21. The Pirates’ defense forced a turnover on downs and Peterson ended the half with a 41-yard field goal for a 30-21lead. Bennifield was 13 of 15 in the first half for 150 yards passing with four touchdown tosses.
The third quarter however, belonged to the Storm as their defense held the Pirates scoreless. After stopping Massachusetts on the opening possession, Sioux Falls executed a ten-play drive that saw Sneed and Chavious running on every play. Sneed carried the final two yards for the touchdown leaving the Storm down by two points at 30-28. After the Pirates Peterson missed a 41-yard field goal attempt, Chavious broke a 42-yard run to the Pirates five-yard line to end the quarter.
Three plays into the final quarter Donnie Corley caught a six-yard TD pass and with the point after, the Storm was back out front, 35-30. The Pirates offense came back to life as Bennifield scored on a quarterback sneak and after a failed two-point conversion, Massachusetts was back out front 36-35. The lead lasted only four plays as Sneed scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a two-yard carry and with 2:52 remaining, the Storm led 42-36.
The Pirates last drive began on the Sioux Falls 23 with 2:42 to play. On first down Bennifield hit Zico who made a leaping catch at the seven to set up first and goal. Bennifield then ran to the four, but on second and goal, Storm lineback Undraez Lilly sacked the Pirates’ quarterback. Bennifield was unable to return from the hit, and back-up quarterback Mike Glass III entered the game with 33 seconds to play, looking at a third and goal at the 15. Glass ran to the eight yard-line setting up fourth and goal. Setting up in the Shotgun, Glass took a two-step drop and then stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike to Owens in the end zone that tied the game with six-seconds left. Peterson’s extra point gave the Pirates a 43-42 lead. Chavious returned the kickoff to his own 15-yard line. With one second left on the clock Petre attempted a 50-yard field goal that sailed wide left and the Pirates had earned a one-point victory.
The game turned into a classic run vs. the pass affair as Massachuestts threw for 193 yards compared to the Storm’s 33, while Sioux Falls ran for 163 to the Pirates’ 57.
Bennifield finished the night 19 of 23 for 208 yards with four touchdowns. Five Pirates had receptions including Zico who had seven catches for 60 yards and a score. Owens had five receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns while Carrington added three for 48 yards and two scores. Deddrick Thomas led the Massachusetts ground game with eight carries for 32 yards. Defensively, DB Lukas Denis had six tackles as did linebacker Reggie Floyd.
For Sioux Falls, Sneed was just two of eight passing for 33 yards and two scores. Chavious had 148 yards of total offense as he carried 15 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also returned two kicks for 33 yards. Lilly led the Storm defense with three sacks and had a total of six tackles. Carlos Thompson Jr. was the Storm’s leading tackler with nine stops.
The Pirates will be back at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center on Saturday, May 28 at 7:05 when they host the Bismarck Bucks.