Game Preview - Jacksonville

05/04/2022 9:31 AM -

Game Preview Week Three, vs Jacksonville

Jacksonville Sharks (0-2) vs Carolina Cobras (2-0)

Greensboro Coliseum

Saturday 7:00PM EDT

Superhero and Education Appreciation Night

PREGAME NOTES

Second 1-0 week complete:  The Cobras made their 2022 home debut and hunted down the Predators, putting them down 48-26 to keep their 1-0 weekly streak alive.

Rivalry Week Part 1:  One thing that has held true since the Carolina Cobras were formed prior to the 2018 season was that these two teams don’t like each other.  So far in the regular season the Sharks actually hold a 4-3 advantage in wins, in the playoffs it is actually one game apiece, as the Cobras beat the Sharks on their way to the NAL Championship win against the Lions in 2018, and the Sharks beat the Cobras in the 2019 NAL Championship game.  Last year these two teams split their two games, each winning on the road.

Defense causing havoc:  Yes, the Cobras defense was incredible in the win against Orlando, holding the Predators to 26 points.  The Cobras are now number one in scoring defense in the NAL allowing just 38.5 points per game.  They also held the Predators to just 130 yards of total offense for the game.  Jacksonville comes in with the second ranked offense for points, averaging 54.5 points per game.  So, this will be another test for the Cobras defense going into Saturday night.  According to NAL stats, Tre Long is fourth in tackles with 12, Larry Ford is fifth with 11.  Tre Long is tied for first in the NAL with two interceptions.  For the Sharks Kenny Veal and Markus Smith also have two interceptions each.

Points on the board:  The Cobras are third in the NAL in scoring offense with 53.5 points per game, but they also have they are winning by an average of 15 points per game at this point.  QB Jonathan Bane is second in the NAL in yardage (451) and passing TDs (8).  Jacksonville has made a trade with Albany, Sending Warren Smith to Albany for Mike Fafaul, who the Cobras faced in the opening game in Albany.   Cobras FB/LB Zack Brown is tied for first with 42 yards rushing.  DJ Myers is fourth in the NAL is receiving yards with 157, while Kendrick Ings is fifth with 127.  Ings is tied for third with 4 TD receptions.

Next Opportunity:  Jacksonville has had a tough start to the season, yes, they are 0-2, but both of those have come in Overtime.  Losing at Columbus and then a missed PAT in overtime while hosting Albany led to a 61-60 defeat.

Coach Says:  Head Coach Josh Resignalo had this to say about the upcoming game against the Sharks, “Jacksonville is always an exciting game, whether in the Snake Pit or The Tank, great fan bases.  Records usually go out the winder.  Another great rivalry of the NAL.  Jacksonville has had a rough start and we will probably get their best game of the season, because an 0-3 start would not be a good start to the early part of the season for them.  We know that, so we’ve been extra hard on the guys this week to stay focused, and all that matters is going 1-0.  We have a really good team, but about 70% of where we will be.  So, we can not afford to start making mistakes.  Once we start clicking all around, we will be a very dangerous team.  We have had a great start so far to the week, so we will be ready for Saturday.”

History:  Sharks lead the series 5-4, including the playoffs.

Last Game:  Cobras beat Jacksonville in Jacksonville 54-44 on July 24,2021