The Pirates return to the DCU Center in Worcester at 7 pm on Saturday, June 23rd as they look to extend their winning streak to four victories.
The Pirates (7-3) are coming off an exciting last minute win last week at home. Pirates QB Sean Brackett connected with Lavon Pearson on a two yard pass play with 4.4 seconds remaining to defeat the Columbus Lions 62-55. The Pirates are 4-1 with home field advantage and are now in second place in the National Arena Football League as the Steelhawks come to town in last place with 8 losses for the season.
Defensively the Pirates are allowing 45 points per game which is the third best in the NAL. In the game vs. Columbus the team posted their seventh defensive score this season. J.D. Griggs had two sacks giving the team a total for 21 for the season. John Hardy-Tuliau leads the team in tackles with 44.5 while Kiante Northington has 40.5 and both players have six interceptions.
The team is also third in the league offensively in scoring at 54.2 points per game. Brackett has been a huge advantage for the Pirates completing 60 percent of his passes (160-268) for 2,433 yards with 47 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Devonn Brown leads the team in receiving yards (743) and 15 touchdowns. Mardy Gilyard is playing well with 42 receptions, 11 scores and 403 yards. Lavon Pearson has contributed 40 catches for 505 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Saturday night’s game with be the second match up for the two teams. The Steelhawks came out early last time with a 5-0 lead before the Pirates answered with a decisive 72-24 victory creating a franchise record for points in a game.
This week’s game is Star Wars Night featuring appearances from your favorite characters from the series. Fans are encouraged to use the force and dress the parts. Halftime will feature a local comedian contest featuring Shaun Connolly, Jack Burke and Chris Kinback.
"We are coming off a big win this past weekend against a great Columbus Lions team, however we have to move as we face a great opponent in Lehigh Valley. They might not be what they have been in past years but they are moving in the right direction, and we simply can't let our guard down,” said Jawad Yatim, President of the Massachusetts Pirates. “I am proud of the way my team has competed up to this point but we have to take it to another level as we hit the home stretch of the season. We will learn a lot about our guys this weekend, as we hope to continue the little momentum we have gathered from these past couple games.
Fans can also enjoy the games on NESN (New England Sports Network) which is televising all eight (8) Pirates home games during the 2018 season on tape-delay on NESNplus. Each of these games will also air on NESN National and on NESN primary during the week.
NESN is also airing an all access show on the team with behind the scenes footage.
NESN will also be airing multiple thirty minute documentary specials beginning in May, following the Pirates as they navigate through their first season of action. The audience will get an in depth look at the lives of the players, coaches and front office members who are at the forefront of Massachusetts’ newest professional sports franchise.
The Pirates will then look forward to playing at home the following Saturday, June 23rd vs. the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
About The Massachusetts Pirates
The Massachusetts Pirates are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The Pirates play all home games at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA. 01608. Pirate Nation Season Ticket Memberships for the 2018 season are now available. To become a Pirate Nation Season Ticket member or for more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508) 452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.
