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The Orlando Pirates were defeated by the Green Bay Blizzard in the semi-finals of the IFL conference playoffs 73-59. The loss ends Orlando's inaugural season and propels Green Bay into the Eastern Conference championship game against the Tulsa Oilers on August 9.
Pirates quarterback Paxton DeLaurent accounted for eight touchdowns, and Nyqwan Murray had two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as Green Bay's high-powered offense proved to be too much for the first-year Pirates.
The Pirates finished their first season 10-7 and 4th in the Eastern Conference while also securing a 2026 IFL playoff spot. The Pirates saw outstanding performances from quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, running back Pooka Williams, and former Florida State Seminoles receiver Nyqwan Murray during the course of the season.
Florida State was also represented on the Pirates' roster by former quarterback James Blackman, and wide receiver Ja’khi Douglas. Blackman was the backup quarterback throughout the season playing sparingly, while Douglas was used throughout the season.
Murray was with Florida State from 2015-2018, he played in 41 games while starting 18 games. In his time with Florida State he had 127 receptions for 1,854 yards, and 12 touchdowns. His 92-yard touchdown reception in the 2016 Orange Bowl remains a record for the longest touchdown reception in Orange Bowl history. Murray was the first draft pick ever selected by the Pirates organization.
In 2024 Douglas led Florida State in receptions (32), reception yards (519), and receiving touchdowns (4).
Blackman played for Florida State from 2017-2020. He left Florida State tied for No.10 all-time in passing touchdowns (48) and tied for No. 11 in career completions with 433.
The Pirates jumped out to an early lead with Williams scoring on an eight-yard run during the opening possession. Green Bay would quickly respond as the teams traded scores ending the first quarter with Green Bay up 16-14.
Green Bay’s quarterback Liam Thompson linked up with his favorite wide receiver Trevon Alexander for multiple touchdowns in the second quarter, outscoring the Pirates in the second quarter 23-13, as Green Bay went into halftime up 39-27.
The connection between Thompson and Alexander continued in the third quarter as DeLaurent and Murray tried but failed to stay on pace with one of the league's most explosive offenses. The third quarter saw Green Bay again outscore the Pirates 20-12, leaving the third period up 59-39.
The Pirates showed tremendous fight in the final period, outscoring Green Bay 20-14, but the combination of Alexander's four-touchdown performance, and Thompson's seven-touchdown performance, was too much for the first-year Pirates to overcome.
Continue reading...
Pirates quarterback Paxton DeLaurent accounted for eight touchdowns, and Nyqwan Murray had two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as Green Bay's high-powered offense proved to be too much for the first-year Pirates.
The Pirates finished their first season 10-7 and 4th in the Eastern Conference while also securing a 2026 IFL playoff spot. The Pirates saw outstanding performances from quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, running back Pooka Williams, and former Florida State Seminoles receiver Nyqwan Murray during the course of the season.
Florida State was also represented on the Pirates' roster by former quarterback James Blackman, and wide receiver Ja’khi Douglas. Blackman was the backup quarterback throughout the season playing sparingly, while Douglas was used throughout the season.
Murray was with Florida State from 2015-2018, he played in 41 games while starting 18 games. In his time with Florida State he had 127 receptions for 1,854 yards, and 12 touchdowns. His 92-yard touchdown reception in the 2016 Orange Bowl remains a record for the longest touchdown reception in Orange Bowl history. Murray was the first draft pick ever selected by the Pirates organization.
In 2024 Douglas led Florida State in receptions (32), reception yards (519), and receiving touchdowns (4).
Blackman played for Florida State from 2017-2020. He left Florida State tied for No.10 all-time in passing touchdowns (48) and tied for No. 11 in career completions with 433.
The Pirates jumped out to an early lead with Williams scoring on an eight-yard run during the opening possession. Green Bay would quickly respond as the teams traded scores ending the first quarter with Green Bay up 16-14.
Green Bay’s quarterback Liam Thompson linked up with his favorite wide receiver Trevon Alexander for multiple touchdowns in the second quarter, outscoring the Pirates in the second quarter 23-13, as Green Bay went into halftime up 39-27.
The connection between Thompson and Alexander continued in the third quarter as DeLaurent and Murray tried but failed to stay on pace with one of the league's most explosive offenses. The third quarter saw Green Bay again outscore the Pirates 20-12, leaving the third period up 59-39.
The Pirates showed tremendous fight in the final period, outscoring Green Bay 20-14, but the combination of Alexander's four-touchdown performance, and Thompson's seven-touchdown performance, was too much for the first-year Pirates to overcome.
Continue reading...
