AFL: Monster Second Half Leads Sharks Past Predators, 66-51
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Sharks scored 50 second-half points on Saturday night, as the team erased a seven-point halftime deficit en route to a 66-51 victory over the Orlando Predators in front of 10,217 on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
Jacksonville (6-5) turned the tide by forcing a pair of turnovers in the third quarter. With his team down by a 30-22 count Tommy Grady hit Jeron Harvey on a 10-yard touchdown pass to bring the Sharks within a point.
With their fifth straight win, the Sharks have now moved into first place in the South Division for the first time this season. Jacksonville currently owns the second tiebreaker over Orlando based on point differential in head-to-head games.
In the victory, Grady completed 26 of his 36 pass attempts for 275 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions. After throwing both of those picks in the first half, Grady went 13-for-14 with five touchdown passes over the game's final two quarters. On the ground Derrick Ross carried the ball a season-high 15 times, totaling 32 yards and three touchdowns.
At receiver, Tiger Jones recorded his ninth 100-yard game in 11 weeks, racking up 136 yards and three touchdowns on his 10 receptions. Joe Hills caught seven passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeron Harvey added seven catches for 49 yards and a score.
GAME BALLS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game -- Jacksonville WR Tiger Jones
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game -- Jacksonville DL Joe Sykes
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game -- Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins
Cutters Catch of the Game -- Jacksonville WR Tiger Jones' over-the-shoulder diving catch for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter
AFL Highlight of the Game -- Jacksonville DL Joe Sykes' strip-sack in the third quarter, forcing a fumble recovered by DL Jerry Turner
Jacksonville (6-5) turned the tide by forcing a pair of turnovers in the third quarter. With his team down by a 30-22 count Tommy Grady hit Jeron Harvey on a 10-yard touchdown pass to bring the Sharks within a point.
With their fifth straight win, the Sharks have now moved into first place in the South Division for the first time this season. Jacksonville currently owns the second tiebreaker over Orlando based on point differential in head-to-head games.
In the victory, Grady completed 26 of his 36 pass attempts for 275 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions. After throwing both of those picks in the first half, Grady went 13-for-14 with five touchdown passes over the game's final two quarters. On the ground Derrick Ross carried the ball a season-high 15 times, totaling 32 yards and three touchdowns.
At receiver, Tiger Jones recorded his ninth 100-yard game in 11 weeks, racking up 136 yards and three touchdowns on his 10 receptions. Joe Hills caught seven passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeron Harvey added seven catches for 49 yards and a score.
GAME BALLS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game -- Jacksonville WR Tiger Jones
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game -- Jacksonville DL Joe Sykes
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game -- Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins
Cutters Catch of the Game -- Jacksonville WR Tiger Jones' over-the-shoulder diving catch for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter
AFL Highlight of the Game -- Jacksonville DL Joe Sykes' strip-sack in the third quarter, forcing a fumble recovered by DL Jerry Turner
