Jimmie Robinson, Massachusetts Pirates run past Quad City, 52-35

LOWELL — Reaching 50 never looked so good to Jimmie Robinson.

The Massachusetts running back made the most of his Monday night, rushing for a pair of touchdowns, including the 50th of his career, while catching a third during an electric first half, as the Pirates defeated the Quad City Steelwheelers, 52-35, in Indoor Football League action at the Tsongas Center.

The Pirates (8-6) avoided a season sweep against the Quad City (6-7), which trailed them by just one game in the IFL standings with the playoffs looming, in front of a crowd of 2,872.

“We’d play every Monday night if we got a performance like this,” said coach Rod Miller. “It was good. The guys have been waiting and eager to play. This was a big game for us and we’re the only show in the nation right now on Monday night. So we wanted to go out and play our last home game and give the fans something to cheer about. We played a decent game tonight.”

Robinson was a key cog in the offensive attack by breaking into the end zone on three occasions in the first half alone, while his team clung to a 27-20 lead at halftime.

Meanwhile, Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennefield (13-for-15 passing, 132 yards, 5 TDs)  and Thomas Owens (4-for-46 receiving, 4 TDs) put the game out of reach with a relentless air attack, combining for four more end zone grabs, including three in the second half to seal the deal.

The Pirates had to overcome some early pressure. Quad City got an immediate boost off a 33-yard field goal by Kyle Kaplan, one of three he had, giving the Steamwheelers the 3-0 lead.

Bennifield helped key the comeback on their ensuing series, rolling down the left sidelines to the 3, before handing the pigskin over to Robinson. The fleet-footed running back rumbled to paydirt, giving the Pirates the 6-2 lead with 8:05 remaining in the quarter.

Robinson was just getting warmed up. The running back turned receiver took a Bennifield pass before jetting 14 yards down the left side boards to the to retake the 12-10 lead. Henry Nell added a PAT, holding the 13-10 edge at the end of the first quarter.

The Pirates stymied Quad City to open the second quarter, with Julius Turner swatting away a pass. Robinson took it from there on the turnover. The running back bolted 26 yards to the house for his third touchdown of the game. It marked the 50th career rushing touchdown of the IFL star’s two-year career. Nell added the PAT to increase the 20-10 lead.

“Jimmie brings consistency,” said Miller. “I say every week Jimmie is the best running back in the league, He’s the best player in the league in my opinion week in and week out. We ride the team on his back. I tell him I’ll get you a stop you get me a score. That’s been our motto going forward and he’s working, So we’re going to keep up that motto.”

Quad City’s Jarrod Harrington gave his team a lift, scoring on a kickoff return to cut the deficit to 20-17, but the Pirates never blinked.

Instead, Bennifield sent Darren Carrington deep to the 4 on their next possession, before finding Owens just two plays later on a 3-yard grab to expand the 26-17 lead. Nell’s PAT extended the 27-17 cushion with 6:37 left in half.

Kaplan booted its second field goal for Quad City, cutting the Massachusetts advantage to 27-20 at halftime.

Bennifield connected with Owens for his second end zone grab just seconds into the third quarter. Nell’s PAT extended the Pirates’ lead to 35-20.

Quad City’s Kaplan added his third field goal 35-23. And when running back Edward Vander rolled in on a 30-yard strike, and subsequent two-point conversion run moments later, the Steamwheelers pulled as close as 35-28 with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

But Owens killed any thoughts of a Quad City comeback. The receiver made a jumping grab of a Bennefield pass for his third TD end reception of the game, giving the Pirates the commanding 42-28 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Quad City threatened by scoring a fourth quarter touchdown with 9:00 to play, cutting the lead to 42-35. But Owens extinguished the Steelwheelers’ hopes catching his fourth TD of the game to hold the 49-35 lead.

“Thomas has been consistent in this organization since he’s been here,” said Miller. “He’s finally getting healthy and all these guys are starting to peak at the right time. We get Zico back as well I’m excited about where we’re going.”

Nell provided the game-breaking field goal to seal the deal and accounting for the 52-35 final.

According to Miller, the team has enjoyed getting acclimated to its new home at Tsongas Center.

The coach has enjoyed playing in Lowell this season.

“This has been a great experience,” said Miller. “You saw the crowd tonight, some people are getting use to it and get use to this game. We left some people with a good taste in their mouths. Next year we’ll keep increasing the crowds if we keep getting better as a team.”