Chupacabras drop season opener to Orlando

The Chupacabras came oh-so-close to making a statement in their season debut. Despite a four-touchdown day from quarterback Ja’rome Johnson, New Mexico’s rebranded Indoor Football League team opened its season with a narrow 41-38 loss to the Orlando Pirates on Sunday at Tingley Coliseum. The Chupacabras led 38-34 in the fourth quarter after Johnson (11-for-20, 158 yards) flipped a short pass to wide receiver C.

J. Jefferson for their final score of the day. But the Pirates – most recently ranked fourth overall in the IFL’s weekly coaches poll – pulled back ahead off running back Pooka Williams’ short touchdown run with 3:18 remaining.

Chupacabras kicker Ben Derby's game-tying field goal attempt in the final minute hit one of Tingley’s decks and veered right of the goal posts, effectively sealing Orlando’s closer-than-expected win. The Pirates were listed as a 5. 5-point favorite entering Sunday's game.

“They showed that they had heart,” first-year Chupacabras head coach Kyle Moore-Brown said. “And that’s what I wanted. We can clean up the little things – I know I have a great football team … I’m proud of their fight, I’m proud of the effort that they gave out there.