Florida Sports Wires

  By Mick Moninghoff ORLANDO – Pirates Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent threw five touchdown passes with four of them going to wideout Thomas Owens as Orlando defeated the Tulsa Oilers in overtime 61-55 at the Kia Center. The win was also the first for New Head Coach Rod Windsor in his first game at the helm. The Pirates remain undefeated at 3-0 while the Oilers (1-1) suffered their first loss of the season. Orlando trailed 35-33 at the half and did not take the lead until there were 27 seconds remaining in the game.  Trailing 52-48, DeLaurent led the Pirates on a five-play, 45-yard drive. On first and goal from the seven, he ran a quarterback counter into the end zone to give the home team a 55-48 lead as Axel Perez added the extra point. Kicker Bailey Hale of the Oilers booted a 48-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. Tulsa had the best possession in the extra session. A holding penalty on first down and a tackle for a loss by the Pirates Jacques Bris...

  Special to Florida Sports Wire With the 2026 season fast approaching, the Jacksonville Sharks are preparing to hit the field for the first time in nearly a year. The weeks ahead will be crucial as the coaching staff evaluates talent, installs the playbook, and prepares the squad for the grind of a 16-game Indoor Football League (IFL) season. With a championship caliber roster, the Sharks are looking to improve on a successful 2025 season and once again bring a trophy to Jacksonville.  Major QB competition The Sharks enter training camp with one of the most talented groups under center in the league, and the competition at quarterback could be one of the most closely watched battles of camp. Leading the group is James Cahoon, who arrives in Jacksonville following a standout rookie season in the Indoor Football League with the Iowa Barnstormers. Cahoon threw for 2,888 yards and 56 touchdowns in his first professional season, showcasing the arm strength, accuracy and composure ...

JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks announced three new additions to the Tank for the 2026 season. QB Sammy Edwards, DB Robert Jones III and DL/LB Brice Bass arrive in Jacksonville ready to make an instant impact on the field. Edwards (6'2, 195 lbs.) spent all four years of his collegiate career at Valdosta State, where he accumulated 4,662 total yards, 66 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs in 613 total plays. In his junior season, Edwards established himself among Division II's elite, finishing second in the nation with 4,223 passing yards (just three shy of Valdosta State's single-season mark) and playing a central role in the Blazers' Gulf South Conference title and NCAA DII playoff run. For his efforts, Edwards was named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and VSU Male Athlete of the Year. Known for his accurate arm and ability to make plays with his feet, Edwards is expected to add a dynamic element to the Sharks' offense. Jones III (6'0 190 l...

 JACKSONVILLE, FL- True Vet Solutions, a local veteran-owned company that provides veteran career support and resource services, and the Jacksonville Sharks have reached an agreement on a new title sponsorship.  True Vet Solutions will be the presenting sponsor of the Jacksonville Sharks.  “We are very excited to announce this new deal,” Sharks Senior VP Tim Johnson said. “True Vet Solutions has been a tremendous partner and supporter of the Sharks. True Vet becoming our Title sponsor extends our relationship and we look forward to working with Tracy and his team for years to come.” True Vet Solutions was previously the Sharks' field naming partner.  This year, True Vet is expanding on that partnership to become the title sponsor of the team. “Our mission is to inform, assist, and engage in the efforts to increase the quality of life for those who have served”,  True Vet Solutions Owner Tracy Glover said. “This partnership will help get the word out about our co...

JACKSONVILLE, FL -  The Sharks continue to build their roster for the 2025 season with the signings of DB  Tyrese Ross , DL  Tyquilo Moore  and the re-signing OL  Bryant Nolan Jr. Ross (6'0, 200 lbs) has experie n ced a varied and remarkable college football journey, playing for three universities from 2019 to 2024. His standout season came in 2023 at Samford University, where he tallied 44 total tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.  Throughout his career, Ross consistently showcased his versatility and ability to adapt, having suited up for Washington State, South Carolina, and Samford. His smooth transitions between these programs, coupled with his success in different defensive systems, highlight his football intelligence and strong work ethic. At each stop, Ross emerged as a defensive leader, gaining the confidence of both his teammates and coaches.  Moore (6'4, 285 lbs) spent his college years at Kansas State though he saw limit...

  JACKSONVILLE -  The Sharks have re-signed two University of Alabama offensive linemen for the 2025 season.  Dominick Jackson  and  Leon Brown  were major components to the latter half of Sharks inaugural IFL season.  Jackson (6 '6, 325 lbs) played at Alabama in 2014 and 2015. Before that, he played JUCO ball for the College of San Mateo in 2013, where he was an outstanding guard.  His performance at San Mateo earned him enough recognition to receive an invitation to the combine as a junior. Jackson later signed with the Commanders as an un-drafted free agent.  Brown (6 '7, 320 lbs) played JUCO ball in New York before making a surprise transfer to Alabama in 2012.  Remarkably, Brown never visited Alabama before confirming his transfer. Legendary Coach Saban expressed his excitement about finally meeting Brown after learning of his decision.  Brown later played in various leagues, including the AAF and AFL until ultimately finding a...

The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the Players of the Week for Week Seven of the 2024 IFL season. Daniel Smith (TUL) is named Offensive Player of the Week, Makel Calhoun (VEG) is named Defensive Player of the Week, and DJ Stubbs (JAX) is named Special Teams Player of the Week.   Daniel Smith, QB, Tulsa Oilers Following a 72-point outing by the Tulsa offense, quarterback Daniel Smith shined brightest. Smith ended the night nearly perfect, completing 14/18 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Smith added another five touchdowns on the ground, as he was responsible for eight of the team's 10 touchdowns. The Tulsa Oilers had a historic victory in Week Seven, earning Daniel Smith Offensive Player of the Week.   Makel Calhoun, LB, Vegas Knight Hawks In a victorious effort against the Duke City Gladiators, linebacker Makel Calhoun had a game-changing performance. Calhoun ended the night with a game-leading eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. As th...

  JACKSONVILLE, -  The Jacksonville Sharks will play their 2024 season in the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Sharks inaugural IFL season consists of 16 regular season games including eight home and eight away.  All home games are played on True Vet Field at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Season tickets are now available.   2024 Schedule: Saturday, March 23rd: Sharks @ Massachusetts Pirates  Sunday, March 31st: Sharks @ Vegas Nighthawks  Saturday, April 6th: Sharks vs Bay Area Panthers Saturday, April 20th: Sharks vs Vegas Nighthawks Sunday, April 28th: Sharks @ Arizona Rattlers  Saturday, May 4th: Sharks @ Tulsa Oilers Saturday, May 11th: Sharks @ Frisco Fighters Saturday, May 18th: Sharks vs Sioux Falls Storm  Saturday, June 1st: Sharks vs Arizona Rattlers Saturday, June 8th: Sharks vs Tulsa Oilers Friday, June 14th: Sharks @ Green Bay Blizzards  Saturday, June 22nd: Sharks vs Massachusetts Pirates Saturday, June 29th: Sharks @ Sioux...

JACKSONVILLE ( www.jaxsportsday.com ) -  The Jacksonville Sharks announced the addition of two new partners to the team’s ownership group.   The four time Champion Sharks enter their 14th season and look to continue their winning ways. Tripp Amos and Ramsey Potts will become owners as the Sharks head into their inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season.   Amos currently serves as a Consultant to Aflac’s U.S. executive team.  Prior to this, he had a 25-year career with Aflac, serving in various Sales and Leadership positions.  Amos also served as Chairman and CEO of Piedmont Payment Services.   Under his leadership, Piedmont experienced accelerated growth and was named by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America in 2018, 2019, and 2020. He has always had a love for all kinds of football and was a part owner in the Columbus Wardogs af2 arena football team. “Being able to have such accomplished businessmen as...

JACKSONVILLE ( www.floridasportsday.com ) -   The Jacksonville Sharks have officially signed fan favorite wide receiver Kamrin Solomon.  The reigning Offensive Player of the Year was a key piece of the Sharks’ top ranked offense. The two-time NAL Champion (2019,2023) will be returning to Jacksonville for his 4th season bringing veteran leadership along with his explosive plays on the offensive side of the ball.  Solomon played his collegiate ball at Florida Atlantic University and took the NAL by storm last year leading the league with 32 touchdowns and 1907 receiving yards. He averaged over 102 receiving yards a game, proving himself as a stronghold of the offense, even with injuries that plagued the team.  The Mandarin High School alum broke the NAL record for most receptions in a single season with 116 catches. The former record was 104, held by Jarmon Fortson (2018) and Jordan Jolly (2019). Solomon also left his mark in the 2023 NAL Championship Game recordi...

  JACKSONVILLE -   The Jacksonville Sharks announce the re-signing of Jermiah Price and Gibril Ghee from the 2023 NAL Championship Team who are both familiar faces in the IFL where the Sharks look to continue their winning ways. Price and Ghee are two major pieces who both will play critical roles as the Sharks look to rebuild and reload to start their journey in the IFL this upcoming season.  Jermiah Price went to Oklahoma State University and  enters his third stint with the Sharks   and is no stranger to the IFL.  Price won two United Bowls (2012,2013) which the league later   rebranded to the IFL National Championship Game .   In 2012 he was named the United Bowl   MVP. Price then went on to add IFL   Defensive Player Of the Year in back to back years   (2015,2016) before joining the Sharks in   2017. As a Shark, Price earned Two more   championships (2017,2023), and added another championship game MVP under his b...