PIRATES LOOK TO TURN THE PAGE TO 2023 VERSUS BLIZZARD IN SEASON OPENER
Kaleb McChesney
Pirates Writer
March 12^th, 2023
           
The Massachusetts Pirates didn't have the season they wanted in 2022. After winning a championship the season previously, the Pirates had real aspirations to do it again with a solid team build. Behind quarterback Alejandro Bennifield and players like Thomas Owens, Isaac Zico, and Aarion Maxey-Penton, the Pirates were heavy favorites all year long. Unfortunately, injury would strike the quarterback room, forcing Massachusetts to play with three different quarterbacks in important games down the stretch. In Bennifield's absence that lasted months, Mike Glass III was thrusted into action, and even he suffered injury. Forcing Massachusetts to dig deep and sign Tasleem "Taz" Wilson to hold the seat for Bennifield until he returned.
           
Despite all of this, the Pirates finished 11-6, with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Bennifield came back in the regular season finale to lead the Pirates to a 60-17 win over San Diego. It looked like it was all coming together, but Massachusetts would suffer a first round exit, falling to Quad City 39-38.
           
This off-season was pivotal for the Pirates if they want to make last year not the norm. They went ahead and brought back Bennifield, Owens, Maxey-Penton, and Zico. As well as bringing in some new additions to the roster Calvin Bundage, Brendon White, Joshua Fraizer, and former national champion quarterback Cardale Jones.
           
There was also some turnover at the head coaching position. Rayshaun Kizer moved on to the Omaha Beef of the Champions Indoor Football League.  The Pirates went in house for their new head coach, hiring offensive coordinator Mark Stoute.
 
Stoute gave some insight as to what he believes went wrong last year, and how he can fix it as the head coach for 2023.
 
"I think we need more chemistry… Down the stretch, we didn't get beat by teams that were necessarily better than us, I think they just played better as a team… We have to build that "all-bought-in" team concept early in the season… Football is not an individual sport. Teams win championships."
 
Two weeks from now, the Pirates will meet the Green Bay Blizzard in Worcester for their season opener. They split the season series last year. Losing the first game in Green Bay 38-31. Then getting vengeance two months later coming out victorious 48-30. The Blizzard have aspirations of improvement as well, only picking up six wins last year. With a new quarterback room, and improvements on both side of the ball of their own, week one should be a measuring stick for both teams.
 
For Massachusetts, this season is about staying on top and returning to their championship pedigree. As well as staying healthy and playing as a team. With a new coaching staff and talented players on roster, there's no reason this team can't be a real threat at the end of the season. We'll see what they have in store very soon.
 
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.
 
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