WEEK 4 RECAP: SHARKS PIN LIONS 49-20 IN HOME VICTORY!

Jacksonville Pins Lions 49-20 in Home Victory
Eight Sack Defense Secures Sharks First Win of 2022

Jacksonville, FL– The 2022 National Arena League season is rapidly progressing as week 4 comes to a close. Florida felt the action tonight in a  familiar match-up between the Jacksonville Sharks and Columbus Lions. The growing rivalry between the two teams continues to grow as the Lions delivered the Sharks the first loss of the season and now Jacksonville broke the Lions' win streak for the season.


Jacksonville (1-3) entered the game as the underdogs to the Columbus Lions (2-1) both the Sharks and the Lions scored on their opening possessions. The first touchdown of the night was from quarterback Malik Henry to receiver Devin Wilson. Sharks kicker Cody Barber brought the Sharks to 10-7 with a field goal at the end of the 1st quarter.  Defensively, the Sharks stopped the Lions due to defensive backs Kenny Veal and Markus Smith. The Sharks held the Lions to zero points in the second quarter, while scoring 7 points themselves before the first half was up. The Sharks held their lead bringing the score at halftime to 17-7. 


Both teams kept their momentum into the third quarter by scoring 13 points respectively. Determined going into the 4th quarter, the Sharks' defense shut out the Lions in an impressive display of defense. Offensively, the Sharks did not slow down scoring 19 points and on the final drive, Henry threw a fourth-down touchdown pass to receiver Rob Jones which brought the score to 48-20. The Sharks looked to their new kicker Cody Barber who kicked the game-winning extra point bringing the final score to 49-20. The biggest impact on tonight's game came from a high-powered defense that dominated tonight with eight total sacks against former Shark Danny Southwick including three sacks from defensive lineman Kwan Stallworth. The Sharks' secondary forced a first-half interception caught by Kenny Veal as well as a fumble recovery by Anthony Johnson for a touchdown. Jacksonville’s undisputed best game on defense gave the Sharks new energy in the Shark tank and a new perspective going into week five. The 49-20 home victory moves the Sharks to 1-3 but is the Sharks' last home game of the month as they face back-to-back road games. 


Next Saturday they face the Albany Empire (2-1) Saturday, May 21 in Albany with kickoff set for 7 pm. After a devastating home loss to the Empire in April, the Sharks are on the hunt for redemption. This game will be hosted live on the NAL youtube channel. Be sure to follow your Jacksonville Sharks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all things Sharks. We will be posting the location of our Dick’s Wing’s Watch Party later this week. GO SHARKS!



About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all their home games at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Nation Memberships for the 2022 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700. 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.