Pirates: Best Team in the NAL

Photo Courtesy of Paul Richard, Mass Pirates

Worcester, MA- ​Entering the home stretch of the 2018 National Arena League season, the Massachusetts Pirates have become the best. The Pirates secured their supreme status last night after the combination win over the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and a Carolina Cobras loss to the Lions. In spectacular fashion, the Columbus Lions were able to nudge out a win in Greensboro, NC over the number one team. 

Those of us on the blue turf in Pirate Nation: fans and players, watched the closing seconds of that game on our cell phones during the autograph session. When the game ended Pirate wide receiver, Mardy Gilyard began shouting the rhetorical question “We’re number one? We’re number one?” He then took a celebratory lap through the crowd of fans with high fives for everyone. It was truly a memorable moment. It hasn’t been since the beginning of the season that the Pirates claimed bragging rights at the top spot, but the electricity in the air was well worth the wait. 

Last night, the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks proved to many a negative arena-football-fan that they can compete in the NAL. By leading the entire first quarter and much of the first half, their offense is as good as any who play indoor football. But, it was the minor mistakes by the metallic birds from Pennsylvania that gave the Pirates the opportunity to take the lead and keep it. 

Coming to the end of the season the Pirates have to contend with an angry, vendetta-driven, Columbus Lions who fought a contentious Pirate battle last week; and a tough Jacksonville Sharks who have built strong momentum after a rough start to the season. Sprinkle in a couple more games with Lehigh Valley and that’ll seal the deal for the scurvy dogs! 

Next week, the Pirates travel to Columbus, Georgia for a face off against the Lions and the Steelhawks return home to meet with the Jacksonville Sharks. Tune into NAL Youtube channel at 7pm for all the action!  

---

Photo Courtesy of Paul Richard, Mass Pirates