Massachusetts Pirates fall to Frisco Fighters 52-48

It was a tough fight in the Lone Star State for the Pirates.

Quarterback TJ Edwards threw three touchdown passes, while rushing for two more, including three during a game-shifting fourth quarter, as the Frisco Fighters defeated the Massachusetts Pirates, 52-48, Saturday night at Comerica Center.

A meeting between two of the top teams in the Indoor Football League’s Eastern Conference, the Pirates (6-4) held a 19-17 lead at halftime, before first-place Frisco (8-2) fought back with a solid second half surge, capped by a strong 21-point purge in the fourth quarter.

Jimmie Robinson struck it big deep in the heart of Texas. The Massachusetts running back rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries, scoring four touchdowns. He was on the move from the opening snap, charging in on a two-yard strike just 2:13 into the contest. Kicker Calum Sutherland (four PATs) provided the point after, giving the Pirates a 7-0 edge.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts quarterback Alejandro Bennifield aired things out finding Thomas Owens (4-for-32 receiving) with his first of two end zone grabs, giving the Pirates the 15-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bennifield was a constant offensive presence, going 21-for-30 passing for 184-yards and three touchdowns.

Frisco battled back with a strong second quarter statement. The team rallied behind a 10-yard TD run by Jimmy Smith, and a gallant 39-yard field goal by Bryce Crawford cutting the Massachusetts advantage to 13-10, with under a minute to go before halftime.

Robinson managed to stem the tide albeit briefly, charging in on a three-yard spurt to paydirt with 10 seconds left. But Edwards reared back hitting Cole Blackman with an 11-yard end zone pass cutting the Massachusetts lead to 19-17 at halftime.

A back-and-forth battle ensued with the lead changing hands four different times in the third quarter.  But in the end it was Edwards that had final say in the fateful fourth quarter.

The signal-caller broke in on a two-yard TD rumble to reclaim the 37-35 lead, and never looked back. The Fighters quarterback was 10-for-16 passing for 114-yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 68 yards with two more end zone strikes to complete the comeback.

Bennifield attempted to rally his club hooking up with Thomas Zico (7-for-72 receiving) on a huge 30-yard Hail Mary, cutting the deficit to 45-39, but Frisco would hold on for the win.