SHARKS SLIP PAST ORLANDO PREDATORS 37-34

2022 Jacksonville Sharks Sweep Orlando Predators

ORLANDO, FL - It was business as usual as the Sharks took on the Predators for the third and final time during the NAL regular season. As usual the Jacksonville Sharks came out on top and this time on the road 37-34. Jacksonville advances to 6-5. 

Orlando was the first to strike as they scored on their opening drive with a touchdown pass WR/DB Clarence Williams to start the game with an early lead. Jacksonville scored on their opening drive as well with an Arvell Nelson touchdown pass to WR/DB Miles Kelly but a missed extra point by kicker Nick Belcher tied the game at 6-6. The Duval defense held the Predators to a turnover on downs to give the Sharks a chance to take the lead. But an interception caught by Orlando’s defensive back Brian Foy would set up the Predators with the ball back in the red zone. In the next play, the Preds scored with a touchdown grab by Dalvon Randall, thrown by quarterback Matt Parsons. 

Down 12-6 in the second quarter, Shark Nation needed to rally and just like that the Sharks found a bus full of energy to gain their second score of the night with a bullet pass to the corner endzone caught by wide receiver Nyqwan Murray. Sharks kicker Nick Belcher chipped in a deuce to give the Sharks a 15-12 advantage. Orlando did not give up the lead for long as a big run by fullback Desmond Maxwell put the Predators in prime scoring position and a third down run by Richy Anderson to put Orlando up 19-15 with 1:30 seconds left of the half. However, the Sharks would get the last laugh going into the locker room as quarterback Arvell Nelson shoveled a pass to WR/DB Kamrin Solomon as the clock reached zero giving Jacksonville the 21-19 lead at halftime.

Jacksonville continued to pile on points as they scored quickly out the gate with a touchdown pass to OL/DL Faleaoga Russell giving Arvell Nelson his third touchdown of the night and Russell his first of the season. Sharks kicker Nick Belcher added a deuce to put the score at 30-19. Orlando was determined to keep this a close fight as Predators receiver Larry Beavers caught a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion catch by Lonnie Outlaw closed the gap to 30-27. On the Sharks next drive, a bobbled pass led to an interception caught by Orlando’s defensive back Josh Jenkins. The Predators would convert that turnover to a scoring drive with a Parson’s screen pass to lineman Victor Alvarez to score putting the Predators up 34-30.

Into the fourth, Sharks Arvell Nelson put points on the board with the QB keeper setting the score 37-34. Turning the tide of the game, Sharks DB/WR Milton Williams came up with a big interception on the next drive, putting the Sharks in striking range for another score. Despite Nelson’s hot game, Orlando defensive back Josh Jenkins kept Nelson at bay with a second interception of the night keeping the game close in the fourth. Orlando drove down to the goal line and after back to back stops by the Jacksonville defense, Sharks LB/FB Quayvon Hicks recovered a fumble to kill the Predators scoring opportunity and to deliver Duval the victory 37-34 over Orlando.

Leaders for tonight included Sharks quarterback Arvell Nelson who threw 20 completions for 199 yards, four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. On defense, Sharks defensive back Markus Smith led the team with three pass breakups, DB/WR Milton Williams had a clutch interception, and LB/FB Quavyon Hicks helped seal the win for the Sharks with a game deciding fumble recovery. Special teams kicker Nick Belcher seemed to be the missing piece to the puzzle knocking down two deuces and was 2/4 in extra points in the Sharks 37-34 victory. This win launches the Sharks to 6-5 they will play the Carolina Cobras (7-3) Saturday, July 9th at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL with kickoff set for 7:30pm. 

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017     NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all their home games at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Nation Memberships for the 2022 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.