The Jacksonville Sharks continue to be the hottest team in arena football, scoring their 11th straight win this weekend on the road against the Massachusetts Pirates. The Sharks beat the Pirates, 59-42, in Worcester in QB Jonathan Bane’s first game back from the injured reserve.
Bane showed some signs of rust, completing 43% of his passes and being intercepted twice, but he’d still finish with 5 passing TDs.
It was yet another strong effort from the Sharks’ defense, which has been among the league’s best throughout the season. LB Cody Saul pulled in an interception, and DB Nick Woodman sacked Pirates QB Sean Brackett twice and recovered a fumble. The Pirates were held to just eight points through halftime.
But the star of the game for the Sharks was an offensive player: Alstevis Squirewell.
Squirewell, the team’s starting fullback, has struggled to carve out a large role in the offense for much of this season. But on Saturday night, he broke loose, rushing six times for 40 yards and finding the end-zone twice. He’s now second in the NAL in total rushing yards this year, having jumped multiple spots after Saturday night’s win.
WR Jarmon Fortson also found the end-zone on a rushing attempt. Fortson added a receiving TD as well.
Durron Neal, Devin Wilson, and Kamrin Solomon also scored receiving TDs – Neal led the way with six catches for 61 yards and 2 TDs.
The road win brings the Sharks to 11-1. They’ve now clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with two games left to play in the regular season.
The team will face the Pirates again, this time at home, on Saturday night as they begin a two-game home stand to end the season.
