Backup QB Fafoul Leads Sharks to Big Win Over Carolina Cobras

The Sharks survived a change at quarterback as they won 55-29 over the Carolina Cobras, completing a season series sweep of the reigning NAL champions on Saturday night.

The team was playing without QB Jonathan Bane, who was placed on the short-term injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Receivers Chris Gilchrist and Mark Munson were also placed on IR.

With Bane out, backup QB Mike Fafaul was handed the reigns as the Sharks took on the second-place Cobras.

The Sharks got off to a slow start, failing to find the end zone in the first quarter and giving up two touchdowns. They found themselves down by as many as 14 early on in the game. But the team found its footing in the second quarter, with Fafaul finding Jarmon Fortson and Devin Wilson in the end zone and Durron Neal scoring on a short run play.

By halftime, the Sharks had taken a 25-22 lead.

The Cobras scored again quickly to start the second half on a 12-yard run by QB Charles McCullum. Those would turn out to be the final points of the night for Carolina, as the Sharks’ defense dominated McCullum and the Cobras from that point onward.

Over the course of the second half, McCullum would commit four turnovers – along with two more drives that both ended in a turnover-on-downs. Sharks DB Seth Ellis came away with multiple interceptions for the third time this season, and fellow DB Markus Smith grabbed one as well.

Meanwhile, the Sharks racked up four more touchdowns, led by the solid – if at times shaky – performance of Fafaul.

Fafoul would finish the game with a fairly impressive stat line: he went 28-49 for 201 yards, with 5 TDs and one interception. As has been the case all season, the Sharks’ receivers put on a show: Fortson finished with 10 catches for 85 yards and a score, while Wilson also caught 10 passes for 61 yards and a season-high 3 TDs. New addition Kamrin Solomon also found the end zone.

Neal and DB/RB Zack Brown each scored rushing TDs for the Sharks as well.

After the victory over the Cobras, the Sharks extend their winning streak to seven games and solidify their grip on the #1 spot in the NAL. The team will take on the New York Streets at home this Saturday night as they look to avenge their opening night loss.