ALL PHOTOS BY COLE DITZEL
The Orlando Pirates (Website) hosted its first home game this past Sunday, rallying from an early 14-0 deficit to beat the Quad City Steamwheelers 49-46 at the Kia Center. Photographer Cole Ditzel (Instagram | Website) was there to capture it all — check out his shots below.
Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was intercepted three times but finished 18 of 25 for 236 yards and four touchdowns. He capped the game-winning drive by finding Nyqwan Murray in the back of the end zone with under two minutes left, then the Pirates’ defense held on two straight stops to seal the deal.
Quad City jumped out 14-0 after a pick-six from defensive lineman KeShaun Moore, but Orlando chipped away through the second quarter and took a 28-27 lead into halftime, capped by a Mike Mason blocked field goal as time expired. The lead changed hands three more times in the fourth quarter before Dante Wright’s 55-yard kickoff return gave the Pirates the momentum they needed to close it out.
Wide receiver Teo Redding led Orlando with six catches for 88 yards and a score. Pooka Williams and Thomas Owens each added touchdown receptions as well.
The Pirates move to 2-0 on the season. They’re back at the Kia Center next Sunday, April 12, against the Tulsa Oilers at 4 p.m.
Cole Ditzel is an Orlando-based photographer who is passionate about capturing people and their memories. He has a decade of experience in both film and digital photography, in all sorts of areas, ranging from weddings and corporate to travel photography
