March 28, 2024 10:31 AM
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Pirates “Give No Quarter” With 51-16 Win Over Wranglers

Photo: 21 Jonathan Jones is the recipient of a Verlon Reed Jr. pass in the first quarter

After a tough road trip, the Northern Arizona Wranglers were happy to be back at the friendly confines of the Prescott Valley Events Center. Unfortunately that did little to help, in a 51-16 setback to the Massachusetts Pirates.

The Wranglers led early, moving the ball down the field after receiving the opening kickoff. A roughing the holder penalty on the Pirates during a field goal attempt gave new life to Northern Arizona, which capitalized with a touchdown run by Wrangler QB Verlon Reed Jr. Timothy Parker added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 8:16 in the first quarter.

Massachusetts  responded quickly with a 44 yard kickoff return to the Wrangler 6. Pirate quarterback Sean Brackett threaded the needle to hit Laquvionte Gonzales for a 2 yard TD pass and just like that it was 7-6. Northern Arizona grabbed the momentum back as big Zaycoven Henderson blocked the PAT attempt and Kam Prewitt picked up the loose ball, returning it nearly the length of the field to put the Wranglers on top 9-6.

The home team, with a very good crowd behind them, had a huge opportunity to build on the momentum and increase the lead. The Pirates defense held the Wranglers on downs at their own 15, setting up a short field for Massachusetts.

The Wranglers defense rose up to hold the Pirates to a field goal attempt, tying the game at 9 as Ali Mourtada hit a 25 yarder.

The Northern Arizona offense sputtered again as Reed Jr’s pass was picked off by Chucky Williams at the Wranglers 12, setting up the go ahead score. Gonzales took the handoff and on a sweep scored from 5 yards out to make it 16-9 with 10:42 left in the second quarter.

A third straight stalled drive gave the Pirates another chance to increase the lead, but Kam Prewitt picked off a  Sean Brackett pass, with a one handed grab, as he shadowed the receiver going into the end zone.

The first Wrangler play resulted in a turnover, a fumble giving the Pirates the ball at the NAZ 8. Two plays later, Marquis Young scored from one yard out, and Massachusetts now led 23-9.

The Wranglers once again failed to do much on offense as the half ended trailing by 14.

The Pirates took the second half kickoff and scored as Brackettt hit Dontez Byrd on a 9 yard pass to open their lead up to 30-9 with 8:05 left in the third.

The Wranglers were threatening, but that came to an abrupt end when Massachusetts’ Aarion Maxey-Penton picked off a Reed Jr. pass in the end zone and went coast to coast for the pick-six lead 37-9 after three quarters.

The Wranglers saw a new face at QB to start the fourth as Caden Walters took over for Reed Jr. Walters gave the crowd some excitement as he ran and went airborne on a hit down to the Pirates 4. Walters would score on a two yard run, two plays later, to trim the deficit to 37-16 with 11:30 left in the game.

That would be it for Northern Arizona on offense as the Pirates would score the final two touchdowns on a pair of touchdown passes by Brackett to Thomas Owens (4 yards), and Laquvionte  Gonzales (44 yards).

Afterwards Wranglers wide receiver Jonathon Jones, who battled throughout said, “This has been a tough season for us, we have had coaches with Covid, picked up some new guys, but we have learned a lot and have stuck together. We love each other and our coaches and we will continue to work hard despite the outcome.”  On being back home and seeing the fans, Jones said, “ I love the fans and especially seeing the kids. Setting a good example and letting them get to know you a bit is something they can take away for coming to our games.”

Massachusetts improves to (10-3) on the season, while the Wranglers (1-12) will finish off their inaugural season hosting the Tucson Sugar Skulls, next Saturday at 6:05pm.

 

MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES 51, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 16

Score by Quarters-   1      2      3      4    –   T

Massachusetts          6     17   14    14   –  51

Northern Arizona     9      0      0       7   –  16

Scoring Summary

NAZ-Reed Jr. 2 yd run (Parker kick)

M-Gonzales 2 yd pass from Brackett (Kick blocked)

NAZ-Prewitt blocked PAT return

M-Mourtada 25 yd FG

M-Gonzales 5 yd run (Mourtada kick)

M-Brackett 1 yd run (Mourtada kick)

M-Maxey-Penton 50 yd interception return (Mourtada kick)

NAZ-Walters 2 yd run (Parker kick)

M-Owens 4 yd pass from Brackett (Mourtada kick)

M-Gonzales 44 yd pass from Brackett (Mourtada kick)

 

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