Massachusetts Pirates Take First Place in League with a Home Win over the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

NORWELL, Mass. - June 28, 2018 - PRLog -- The Pirates, Southern New England's professional indoor football team, are in first place in the National Arena Football League following a 53-34 point win at home over the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.

The team will travel to Columbus (6-3) to face the Lions next Saturday June 30th at 7 pm to take on the Lions. The Pirates (8-3) also lead the league in statistics with .727 PF, 595 PA and 484 PCT.

The Steelhawks (0-9) started the game strong and took an early 3-0 lead on a 24 yard field goal by Lehigh Valley's Spencer Hotaling. In just three plays the Pirates came back as QB Sean Brackett threw a 10 yard pass to Martdy Gilyard to bring the score to their advantage, 6-3.  The quarter ended with the Steelhawks quarterback scoring on a short three yard run creating a lead of 10-6.

Lehigh Valley began the second quarter bringing the score to 12-6. The run ended when the Pirates Gilyard scored his second touchdown of the night. Defensive end R.J.Roberts got his first of three and half sacks of the night and blocked a 20 yard field goal attempt. Brackett then threw an 11 yard pass to Devonn Brown to bring the Pirates a 19-12 lead with just 56 seconds left in the half.  Steelhawks back-up quarterback Matt Foltz found F.K. Williams from five yards out and tied the game with just 17 second left in the half. Lavon Pearson answered with an over the shoulder catch to bring the Pirates ahead.  Roberts forced a fumble on the next play which was recovered by Darryl Render with two seconds remaining. Bracket threw a 26 yard jump ball into the end zone to connect with Lamont Bryant for a Pirates 33-19 lead at the half.

The Steelhawks didn't back down in the third quarter as Hotaling connected on his second "Deuce "of the game. The Lehigh Valley defense blocked a 55 yard field goal attempt and Dante Holmes recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Steelhawks a 34-33 lead with 6:40 to play in the third quarter. Brackett came back and connected with Pearson for his second score of the night from 15 yards out for a 40-34 lead. Brown then made an incredible over the shoulder catch for his second touchdown of the night and finished with 4 catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

Brackett had seven TD passes in the game for the second time this season; he was also the leading rusher with two carries for 27 yards. Bryant, who started the game as a linebacker for the Pirates, led the team with six tackles.

"We are happy to be where we are at right now, our hard work and preparation has been translating to the field which is rewarding. However we know there is a long way to go, and we have a lot of work to do moving forward. We want to finish in this position at the end of the year not after week 12. We'll keep working towards our goals and maintaining the level of expectations we hold for one another," said Pirates President Jawad Yatim.

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.

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.com or visit www.masspiratesfootball.com. Follow the Pirates on facebook at facebook.com/MAPirates on Instagram @mass.pirates, as well as Twitter @mass_pirates.

Pirates Media Contact: Jawad Yatim President 508-723-2014 jyatim@masspiratesfootball.com