Week 6 Preview: Sharks vs. Predators

Jacksonville Looks for Revenge on the Road

JACKSONVILLE – Following what was arguably the best game of the NAL season, the Jacksonville Sharks hit the road to face their in-state rival the Orlando Predators. Last week, the Sharks beat the undefeated Albany Empire 61-58 in a Saturday night slugfest with each team taking the lead in the fourth quarter then with time running out the Sharks scored on a long TD pass from Danny Southwick to Devin Wilson to take the lead. On the final drive of the game the Sharks defense stopped the highest scoring offense in the NAL for the win. Orlando Head Coach Ben Bennett and the Predators (1-3) have not seen much success since they defeated the Sharks in week 3, falling last week to the Jersey Flight in Trenton 58-40 and losing to the Albany Empire on June 19  in Orlando 68-40. The last time these two teams met was week 3 where Sharks star quarterback Mike Fafaul went down in the first half with a season ending injury and the Orlando Predators ran away with the victory 52-41 in Jacksonville. 

Kickoff this Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. Last week, the Predators faced the Jersey Flight. and were handed their third loss of the season, 40-58 in Trenton, NJ. The Predators battled the Flight in the first quarter pulling ahead until the Flight scored right before the second quarter. They came up short in the second half when the Flight put up 32 points. On defense the Predators got two interceptions and a total of 35 tackles.  

The Sharks offense is looking much better going into week 6 with new starting quarterback Danny Southwick, who threw 281 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Empire. Defensively the Sharks secondary had a dynamic duo between Cheatnam Norrils who led the team with 11 tackles and two pass breakups and Kenny Veal with six tackles, an interception and led the team with three pass breakups

The Sharks receivers continued to be a bright spot for the Sharks offense combining for six touchdowns last week. Team captain Devin Wilson again served as the Sharks offensive leader with 9 catches and two touchdowns. Wide Receiver Jordan Williams had 8 catches, 121 overall yards, and three touchdowns, while Paris Mack had three catches for 34 yards. Another strength for the Sharks entering week 6 is special teams headed by All-NAL kicker Brandon Behr who had a near perfect night going seven for seven in point after attempts, scoring a season high two deuces, and knocking down two field goals adding 16 points for the Sharks. 

There will be a Dicks Wings Watch Party Friday night at the Dicks Wings Argyle & Blanding location  at 6055 Youngerman Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32244. The watch party will start at 6:30pm with the game displayed on the TVs at 7pm. The Sharks will also have a Fan Bus this Friday that offers a ticket package that includes your seat on the bus, a ticket to the game, and travel meal. If interested you can sign up online at https://www.jaxsharks.com/fan-bus for questions call 904-621-0700 ext. 715. The bus will pick up fans at the Millers Ale house at avenues mall at 3pm to take fans to the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. 

The next home game is July 2, tickets for Hawaiian/beach themed Shark-A-Rita-Ville presented by Baptist Health & the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute are on sale now starting at just $10 a seat.  The easiest way to purchase Sharks tickets is online at jaxsharks.com or you can call David Diana at 904-621-0700 ext. 717 or visit the arena box office. Can’t make it to the arena? The game will be televised on CW-17 (WCWJ) locally, you can also watch the game on YouTube by going to the National Arena League youtube channel.   

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 of their home games at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Shark Nation Memberships for the 2021 season are still available. Call David Diana at 904-621-0700 Ext. 717 or visit jaxsharks.com