The Jacksonville Sharks are red hot as they end their regular season and head into the 2019 NAL Playoffs, having beat the Orlando Predators 85-30 at home for their thirteenth straight win.
The Sharks found themselves behind only once – after Orlando’s opening possession – before going on to score 85 points on the Predators, a new franchise record for points scored in a single game.
The team was led on offense by QB Mike Fafaul, who retained the starting job this week after his game-saving performance in relief of Jonathan Bane last week. Fafaul threw 17-for-21 for 239 yards and 6 TDs, with no interceptions – though he did lose a fumble in the first half. The team will likely look to keep Fafaul under center during its playoff run.
Likewise, the receiving corps continued their strong play. Devin Wilson led the way with four catches for 86 yards and 2 TDs, setting an NAL record for most consecutive games (17) with at least one touchdown. Chris Gilchrist, Durron Neal, Jarmon Fortson, Cody Saul, and Alstevis Squirewell each added one. Squirewell also added two rushing TDs.
But the real MVP of the regular
Of those seven INTs, DB Markus Smith was responsible for three – one of which he returned for a touchdown. Smith also forced a fumble. LB Cody Saul had two INTs and returned both for points. Tony Goodman and Robert Brown each pulled in one a piece.
The Predators didn’t score at all in the second half.
The Sharks finish the year with the top-ranked offense in the NAL and the second-ranked defense. They’ll go into the playoffs ranked first in the league, having clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The team’s first playoff game is Tuesday, August 9 at the Vystar Veterans Arena.
