Dunedin kicks off 2022 versus the Tampa Bay Thunder

DUNEDIN- The big game has finally arrived and that’s the season opener for the Dunedin Pirates when they host the Tampa Bay Thunder, a first-year team in the Football Federation Alliance 2.0.

Dunedin only got to play in one preseason game when they defeated the Wesley Chapel Apaches 21-2 back in December. Now the Pirates head into their 11th season of play against a strong Thunder franchise, led by team president Jake Moore, who is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ tight end Dave Moore.

The Thunder have a strong nucleus of players that have joined the club, including former NFL’er Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was selected to the Pro Bowl twice . Tampa Bay’s head coach is Bob Henriquez, who is currently an assistant at Tampa Catholic High School and was a head coach at the school years ago.

The Pirates head into the contest starting quarterback Nate Munson, who returns for his fourth season with the club. Dunedin went 6-6 last season and lost to the Southwest Florida Gladiators in the Divisional Round of the FFA 2.0 playoffs in 2021. Season openers have been tough for the Pirates, as the team is 3-7 all time kicking off a campaign, with wins in 2010, 2012 and 2021.