The Massachusetts Pirates lost 44-24 to the Tulsa Oilers in their Friday night regular-season finale. Now, playoff seeding hinges on the outcome of the Quad City Steamwheelers versus Jacksonville Sharks matchup on Saturday night. The result will determine which team secures the third and fourth seeds in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Connor Degenhardt amassed 101 passing yards, primarily targeting Jimmie Robinson with nine receptions for 64 yards and Teo Redding with four receptions totaling 57 yards. However, Andre Sale's 191 passing yards and six touchdowns proved decisive, with Alexis Rosario contributing seven receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown and Jarrod Ware Jr. adding nine receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Tulsa's aerial prowess ultimately outpaced Massachusetts' efforts in a game where offensive firepower made the difference.

Massachusetts (8-8) took charge early, starting with a solid pass from Bennifield to Darren Carrington for a seven-yard gain. Despite a setback as Robinson was tackled for a three-yard loss by Noah Lyles, Bennifield bounced back with a critical pass to Robinson, pushing into the red zone at the 11-yard line. Bennifield then connected with Robinson again, bringing the Pirates to the one-yard line. A penalty pushed them back, leading to a successful 22-yard field goal by Henry Nell, giving Massachusetts a 3-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter.

Nell extended the lead to 4-0 with a single-point rouge off the kickoff that ricocheted off the goal post upright. Andre Sale kicked off Tulsa's (6-10) response with a three-yard completion to Jarrod Ware Jr., followed shortly by a 12-yard connection to Alexis Rosario, their top receiver. A penalty on Massachusetts for illegal defense positioned Tulsa in the red zone at the five-yard line. On the ensuing play, Sale located an uncovered Ware in the endzone for a six-yard touchdown pass, propelling Tulsa ahead 7-4.

After two incomplete passes and a sack resulting in a nine-yard loss, Massachusetts opted for a 56-yard field goal attempt, which was unsuccessful. Tulsa took possession, with Ware gaining two yards on a rush and Sale connecting with Ware again for a four-yard pass. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Julius Turner granted Tulsa an additional eight yards. On the subsequent play, Sale located D'Marcus Adams streaking across the middle of the field, shedding a tackle en route to the back of the endzone. Tulsa widened its lead to 13-4 following a missed extra-point attempt.

Bennifield kickstarted the drive with a nine-yard completion to Teo Redding, swiftly followed by a short pass to Robinson for a first down. Connor Degenhardt stepped in for Bennifield and promptly connected twice with Robinson. Despite these gains, they faced a crucial third and nine situation. Degenhardt attempted a shovel pass to Robinson, who was tackled shy of the first down marker. Opting to go for it on fourth and four, the Pirates gamble backfired as Taylor Hawkins intercepted Degenhardt's pass.

Sale found Ware for a five-yard reception, followed by a 10-yard gain by Rosario. Tulsa benefited further when Paris Ford's pass interference penalty advanced them to the four-yard line. On the subsequent play, Tyrone Howell mossed his defender for a three-yard touchdown, increasing Tulsa's lead to 20-4 with five minutes left in the second quarter.

The Pirates initiated their drive with a powerful five-yard run by Robinson, followed by another eight-yard gain on the ground by Robinson, placing Massachusetts just one yard short of the red zone. Despite two unsuccessful plays resulting in negative yardage, the Pirates faced a crucial third and 12. Degenhardt then connected with Robinson on a 10-yard pass for a first down. Two plays later, Degenhardt rushed two yards into the endzone for the first Massachusetts touchdown of the evening, narrowing the Oilers lead to 20-10 after Nell missed the point after attempt.

With just 21 seconds left in the first half, Tulsa took possession and quickly gained nine yards on a pass to Ware. On the subsequent play, Sale aired out a deep pass to Ware, who made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown, extending their lead just before halftime. The score now stood at 26-10.

With only 13 seconds remaining, Robinson returned the kickoff 29 yards, positioning Massachusetts just beyond midfield. Degenhardt quickly found Robinson for a four-yard gain. With just three seconds left on the clock, the Pirates aimed for the endzone, but Kaytron Allen intervened, swatting down the pass as the first half came to a close.

Tulsa opened the second half with possession, as Sale connected with Ware for a two-yard gain, followed by Ware rushing for five yards. Sale then aimed deep to Rosario, but Matt Elam deflected the pass in the endzone, leading to a fourth and three situation. Tulsa kept the drive alive with a seven-yard pass to Rosario, followed by a remarkable jumping catch for five yards along the sideline. Massachusetts tightened defensively, forcing Tulsa into a fourth and six situation. Initially opting to go for it, Tulsa changed plans after a false start penalty, opting instead for a successful 27-yard field goal by Ross Moore. This extended Tulsa's lead to 29-10 with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Degenhardt unleashed a deep pass to Isaac Zico on first down, but a hit after the throw resulted in a roughing the passer penalty against Tulsa, placing Massachusetts at the 22-yard line. Two plays later, Degenhardt took charge, directing Darren Carrington and connecting with him for a 10-yard gain despite a momentary bobble. Following two incompletions, Degenhardt was sacked on third down, setting up a daunting fourth and 18. Undeterred, the Pirates succeeded with a critical 28-yard catch and run by Teo Redding. Robinson then capped off the drive with a seven-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the Oilers lead to 29-17.

Sale fired a dart to Rosario in a single play, resulting in a 21-yard gain that positioned Tulsa in the red zone. Massachusetts, however, mounted a resilient defense, thwarting three consecutive attempts. Cyrus Fagan nearly intercepted the first pass, while the subsequent ones were dropped. Facing fourth down and four, Sale connected with Adams in the back right corner of the endzone for another touchdown, extending their lead to 35-16. Opting for a two-point conversion, Tulsa succeeded as Sale again found Adams, bringing the score to 37-17 with 13:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Degenhardt connected with Redding for a crucial 12-yard gain, advancing Massachusetts past midfield to the 21-yard line. He followed up with a short pass to Robinson, gaining nine yards. However, Lyles broke through to tackle Robinson for a five-yard loss. Degenhardt's pass intended for Zico in the endzone on the next play fell incomplete. Facing fourth and six, Degenhardt attempted another shot to the endzone, but the pass was batted down, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Tulsa quickly capitalized with two plays, as Sale connected with Rosario for a nine-yard gain, setting up the next play. Rosario then hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 44-17 with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Isaac Zico ignited the kickoff return with a stellar 31-yard return, positioning Massachusetts favorably for their next drive. Despite a bobble on the snap, Degenhardt recovered and swiftly found Dontay Demus for an 11-yard gain. Degenhardt took matters into his own hands on the ensuing play, rushing nine yards for a touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 44-24.

The Pirates managed a crucial four-and-out, forcing a turnover on downs. With just a minute left on the clock, Massachusetts sought to make a final push. Degenhardt initiated with a four-yard gain on a run. However, a false start penalty on the subsequent play negated the gain, but Massachusetts quickly rebounded with a 14-yard screen pass to Redding. Despite the effort, three consecutive incompletions followed, and time expired with the final score settling at 44-24, sealing Tulsa's victory over the Pirates.

About the Massachusetts Pirates
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and play their home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.