The Jacksonville Sharks kept their winning streak alive on Saturday night, defeating the New York Streets 83-51 in a shoot-out that saw the two teams combining for a jaw-dropping 18 touchdowns.
The Sharks’ 83 points against the Streets – who had previously handed the Sharks their only loss of the season – made for a new franchise record and the first time the team has scored more than 80 points in a single game.
The game started out fairly even, with Jax and New York trading touchdowns throughout the first quarter. But the Sharks opened the game up in the second frame, scoring three straight unanswered touchdowns and outscoring the Streets 25-8 in the quarter.
By halftime, the Sharks found themselves up 41-21. And they didn’t exactly take their foot off the pedal for the second half, either.
The Sharks began the third quarter with a 58-yard kickoff return touchdown by Tony Woodman, and while the Streets would keep putting points on the board as well, there was simply no way they could catch up to the Sharks.
The star of the night for the Sharks was undoubtedly QB Mike Fafaul, starting his second game following an injury to previous starter Jonathan Bane. Fafaul found his target on an amazing 82.6% of his passes, threw for 245 yards, and had nine touchdown passes without an interception.
It was one of the most impressive performances by a quarterback in the NAL this year. Fafaul’s 9 TDs tied the league’s season high.
And of course, the team’s receiving corps continued its stellar season as well, led by Devin Wilson who pulled in eight catches for 94 yards and 3 TDs. Jarmon Fortson added seven catches for 95 yards and 3 TDs, and Durron Neal also found the end-zone twice.
Even DB Cody Saul got in on the fun, scoring on a 14-yard TD pass.
The Sharks now advance to 8-1 as they prepare to take on the Streets yet again next weekend, this time in New York.
GAME NOTES:
- The team wore special Star Wars-themed jerseys, and fans were given glowing lightsabers before the game.
- In a rather bizarre coaching decision, the Sharks had kicker Brandon Behr attempt two on-side kicks in the second quarter. Both attempts came while the Sharks already held a lead, both failed, and one led to an easy TD for the Streets.
- The team has won eight straight games and has a firm grip on the #1 seed in the NAL.
