The Maine Mammoths led 19-7 at halftime Saturday night, but the Massachusetts Pirates rallied and converted a two point conversion after a touchdown in overtime to grab a thrilling 44-43 National Arena League win at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
After Maine (1-4) held the lead for most of the first half at 11-7 after opening quarter and 19-7 at the break, Massachusetts (5-1) rallied to take a 22-19 lead after three quarters. A back and forth last quarter of regulation ended with the teams still deadlocked at 36-36. Maine was down 10 points late 36-26, before quarterback Jonathan Bane hit Edgar Allen Poe Jr. for a touchdown with two seconds left. Mammoths kicker Henry Nell then hit a dropkick for two points to make it 36-34. The only play left for Maine was for Nell to put the ball through the uprights on the kickoff, where in arena league it results in two points. Amazingly, the attempt to do that by Nell was successful to send the game to overtime. Nell had also connected on three kickoff point conversions in the first half. Bane connected with Devin Wilson in overtime, who made a miraculous catch up over the wall to give the Mammoths a 43-36 lead. Pirates quarterback Sean Brackett then would take the game in his own hands, running in a very short touchdown to cut it to 43-42. Massachusetts went for the win, and Brackett found his way into the endzone for the two point conversation on a designated quarterback sneak to end it. Bane finished 20-40 passing, 193 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions, and one fumble lost. Poe had 10 catches for 71 yards and one touchdown, while Wilson had 3 for 50 yards and the two scores.
This is the second win this season at the DCU Center for the Pirates over the Mammoths. The two teams met back on April 7th in the first ever NAL game for both teams, with Massacussetts taking a 51-24 win.
Maine stays on the road next Saturday at 7 pm when they travel to meet the Jacksonville Sharks, in a rematch of the Mammoths 48-31 loss on May 5th.
MAI 11 8 0 17 7- 43
MAS 7 0 15 14 8- 44
