Cobras Shock Sharks 54-44 in Home Finale

Kaegi 4th Quarter Rally 10-Points Shy of Comeback

JACKSONVILLE— The Jacksonville Sharks entered the Sharks tank tonight after a big loss against the Columbus Lions last Saturday. Ready to rally for Military Appreciation 7,000+ Sharks fans flooded the Shark Tank for the final home game of the season in this big game against Carolina, where Jacksonville was highly favored. The Cobras entered the game 1-5 on the verge of playoff elimination; Jacksonville beat the Cobras two-weeks ago 54-52 in Greensboro. 

The Sharks, who have battled injuries all season long, entered the game with a confident deuce right out the gate by kicker Brandon Behr. Jacksonville finished the 1st quarter up 9-6. The Sharks defense started the game strong as they stopped on their forcing a turnover on downs, the Sharks prevented a 2-pt conversion as a jack linebacker Ken Walton snatched a end zone interception. The Cobras took the lead at the half 20-16, a low scoring first half where a recovering Southwick threw one touchdown to receiver Jordan Williams but threw two interceptions as he fell under pressure for most of the game. The Sharks defense kept Carolina at bay as Kiante Northington had two back to back interceptions in the first half. 

Coach Fuller made the change at quarterback in the second half as backup Connor Kaegi entered the game and remained the Sharks quarterback for the rest of the game where he led a mounting come back following a rough 3rd quarter that included a safety, kickoff return for a touchdown, PAT, and a deuce that delivered the Cobras 11 points in a matter of seconds. Despite the uphill battle Kaegi and the Shark put up 14 points late in the fourth that put the Sharks 10-points away from putting the game into overtime but Jacksonville did not have enough time left to finish the rally as the Sharks fell 55-44 to the Cobras. 

The Sharks now tie Carolina & Jersey at 2-5 at the bottom half of the NAL standings in a three way tie with the Carolina Cobras and the Jersey Flight which will be decided next week. The game is set for Saturday, July 31th at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY with kickoff at 7pm. The Sharks will need a to win Saturday and Carolina & Jersey to lose to automatically clinch the 4th playoff seed, with Albany #1, Columbus #2, and Orlando #3 already locked in the top three playoff seeds. 

Tonight’s Duval Motor Company Shark Players of the Game Include:

Duval Ford Offensive Player: WR, Jordan Williams is our Duval Ford Offensive Player of the game. Williams recovering from injury scored four touchdowns tonight to gain your Offensive Player of the game. 

Duval Acura Defensive Player of the Game:  DB, Kiante Northington is our Duval Acura Defensive Player of the game with five tackles, two interceptions, and a pass breakup. 

Duval Honda Special Teams Player of the Game: K, Brandon Behr is our Duval Honda Special Teams Player of the game after his two deuce performance including a game opening Darley’s Plumbing deuce.  

About the Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions and play all home games at the Vystar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.  To become a Shark Nation member or for more ticket information please call (904) 621-0700 or visit jaxsharks.com  Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.