The Massachusetts Pirates look to get back on track against the Green Bay Blizzard at 7 pm on June 11th at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Pirates are coming off a tough 43-51 loss against the red hot Duke City Gladiators in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Gladiators are on a four-game win streak and are emerging as a dark horse team. The 9-2 Frisco Fighters and 7-4 Massachusetts Pirates are still at the top of the Eastern Conference and continue to look like contenders for the 2022 United Bowl.
Meanwhile, the 9-2 Arizona Rattlers and 9-2 Northern Arizona Wranglers are serious contenders in the Western Conference. The Arizona Rattlers have looked dominant out west after delivering a record-breaking 83-21 smackdown in San Jose, California. The Arizona Rattlers' sixty-two-point victory against the Bay Area Panthers was the biggest margin of victory in the franchise's thirty-year history. Retired NFL Pro Bowl running back and Panthers owner Marshawn Lynch might have to suit up for the 1-11 Bay Area Panthers after that embarrassing blowout.
The Northern Arizona Wranglers are also making a big statement this season and are on a six-game winning streak. The 9-2 start to the season is a massive improvement from the 1-13 record in their first season as a franchise in 2021. The Green Bay Blizzard are second to last place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-7 record. Although the Blizzard have a losing record, they have won five of their last eight games and have turned things around after a rough 0-4 start to the season. The Pirates know that they have to show up at home to beat this Blizzard team after a rough seven-point loss in April in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Massachusetts Pirates offense must bring the energy as the Green Bay Blizzard defense has emerged as one of the best in the IFL this season. The Green Bay Blizzard have the 3rd most interceptions in the IFL and are giving up the second-fewest points per game. The Blizzard defense is led by star linebacker James Brown. Brown currently has the most tackles and tackles for loss in the IFL. Brown also has four sacks and is a force on Special Teams with two blocked kicks. The key for the Pirates is to get electric wide receiver Thomas “T.O.” Owens going early. He is having a monster season with the second-most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the IFL.
The Pirates' defense has a much less daunting task against the abysmal Blizzard offense that has scored the second-fewest points per game. Defensive back Aarion Maxey-Penton looks to play a big role for the Pirate's defense as he has the second-most interceptions and pass breakups in the IFL.