Photo: 10 Ryan Wisniewski looks to get past 11 Aarion Maxey-Penton
The Northern Arizona Wranglers held on to beat the Massachusetts Pirates 37-32 in the final home game of the season for the reigning 2022 IFL champions.
It was an unusual game because there were three scoring runs, two by Massachusetts, and one big one in the middle by the Wranglers. The game started out sloppy for the home team, as the Pirates scored two touchdowns quickly for a 14-0 lead.
The Wranglers alarm went off, and they were able to score the next 37 points, then the Pirates came to life, and scored the final 18.
After a Nick Watson rushing touchdown, Conor Mangan made the first of his four drop kicks on the night to cut the deficit to 14-8. Jaquan Artis got the crowd more into the game with a safety of Massachusetts starting quarterback Anthony Russo, and it was 14-10.
Photo: Glen Gibbons Jr. gets brought down after getting enough yards for a first down
The Wranglers now had all the momentum, but were held to a 27 yard field goal by Mangan, and the Pirates lead was almost gone at 14-13. Wranglers starting quarterback Nick Watson, who struggled early connected with Ryan Wisniewski for a 9 yard TD strike, and the Northern Arizona had their first lead of the night 21-14. The Pirates last second field goal attempt at the end of the half was blocked, giving the fired up Wranglers an 8 point lead at the break.
Northern Arizona took the second half kickoff and increased the lead to 29-14 on a 32 yard run through the center of the field by Jarrod Ware Jr. Glen Gibbons Jr would score on a Watson 6 yard pass play for a 37-14 lead after three quarters.
Massachusetts was done, but not too fast my friend, as the Pirates replaced their starting QB with backup Alejandro Bennifield, and he rallied the visitors.
Bennifield connected with wide receiver Isaac Zico on a 25 yard TD pass. A two pint conversion, and then a deuce by kicker Josh Gale made it a ten point possession, cutting the Wranglers lead to 37-24 with 12:55 left.
The NAZ offense was able to burn some clock, but that was all. The Pirates defense held the Wranglers, but Daniel Wright made the acrobatic interception on Massachusetts first play, giving the Wranglers the ball and the ability to burn some more clock. Once again a turnover on downs gave the ball back to Massachusetts.
Photo: Kishawn Walker and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman bring down Fabian Guerra on a kickoff
Bennifield and company scored again on a 31 yard pass play from the quarterback to Darren Carrington. Once again a two point pass conversion, to trim the lead to 37-32, with only 2:34 remaining. The deuce attempt failed, but the Wranglers had the ball, as were able to convert a key first down to run out the clock for the win.
The Wranglers improve to (7-7) and are still very much alive in the playoff picture. A win at Arizona would guarantee the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference of the IFL.
Jarrod Ware Jr. led the ground attack with 63 yards and a touchdown. Wisniewski grabbed five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Terik Miller had five tackles. Daniel Wright had four tackles and one big interception.
Nick Watson, who completed 14-27, 109 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT, said, “It took us a little time to get going tonight. I always try and be ready for every opportunity that presents itself. We came together and beat a good team over there. Now we just have to build on this. Still a lot of football left. Going to Phoenix next week will be a tough one. They are the hottest team right now and we will have to show up and play our best in order to beat them.”
NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 37, MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES 32
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Massachusetts 14 0 0 18 – 32
Northern Arizona 8 13 16 0 – 37
Scoring Summary
M-Zico 26 yard pass from Russo (Gable kick)
M-Robinson 20 yard run (Gable kick)
NAZ-Watson 2 yard run (Mangan drop kick)
NAZ-Artis safety
NAZ-Mangan 27 yard Field Goal
NAZ-Wisniewski 9 yard pass from Watson (Mangan drop kick)
NAZ-Ware Jr. 32 yard run yard (Mangan drop kick)
NAZ-Gibbons Jr. 6 yard pass from Watson (Mangan drop kick)
M-Zico 25 yard pass from Bennifield (pass from Bennifield)
M-Deuce (Gable kick)
M-Carrington 31 yard pass from Bennifield (Robinson pass from Bennifield)
M-Desuce (Gable kick)
ATT:3,204
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L Eastern Conference W-L
X-Arizona 10-4 X-Frisco 12-2
X-Bay Area 8-5 X-Massachusetts 9-5
X-Tucson 8-6 X-Quad City 9-5
WRANGLERS 7-7 Sioux Falls 8-6
San Diego 5-8 Green Bay 7-7
Duke City 5-9 Iowa 3-11
Vegas 5-9 Tulsa 1-13
X-Clinched playoff spot
SCOREBOARD
Tucson 59, Duke City 51
Quad City 47, Green Bay 39
Massachusetts 43, Tulsa 24
Sioux Falls 54, Iowa 47
MONDAY
San Diego at Bay Area, 6:05pm
WEEK 18 SCHEDULE- Arizona Time
Quad City at Tulsa, Saturday, 5:05 pm
Massachusetts at Sioux Falls, Saturday, 5:05 pm
Frisco at Iowa, Saturday, 5:05 pm
WRANGLERS at Arizona, Saturday, 6:05 pm
Green Bay at Tucson, Saturday, 6:05 pm
Vegas at San Diego, Saturday, 6:05 pm
Bay Area at Duke City, Sunday, 3:05 pm
End of Regular Season
