NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Jacksonville Sharks

RECAP: Sharks Take Down Soul for Conference Championship, 61-56

August 23, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release


PHILADELPHIA - LaRoche Jackson snared a deflected pass for a game-ending interception as time expired on Sunday night, sealing the Jacksonville Sharks' 61-56 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in the American Conference Championship at Wells Fargo Center. With the win, Jacksonville advances to face the San Jose SaberCats in ArenaBowl XXVIII on Saturday, August 29.

Jacksonville (12-8) had the ball in Philadelphia (16-4) territory with a six-point lead and less than 30 seconds remaining. But after three consecutive incompletions, Julian Rauch's 28-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, giving the Soul a final possession with 18 seconds left. Utilizing the wall to their advantage, the Soul ran several plays in a short period of time to move the ball inside the Sharks' 15-yard line with just two seconds left in the game.

On the final play, Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh fired into the end zone in the direction of receiver Lonnie Outlaw. But with Greg Reid in coverage, the ball deflected into the air, and Jackson leapt to corral his second interception of the game and seal the victory.

The Sharks actually never trailed in Sunday's game, as Jacksonville built a two-score lead in the first half. The teams traded touchdowns to open the game, as the Sharks led by a 14-7 count when Jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson stripped the ball from Soul receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku. Terrance Smith recovered the fumble, and the ensuing drive resulted in a touchdown pass from Grady to Tiger Jones, giving the Sharks a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Jacksonville had a change to take a commanding three-score lead when LaRoche Jackson intercepted Raudabaugh on the next drive and returned it to Philadelphia's five-yard line. But the Soul came up with a quick stop, as Grady's pass was intercepted in the end zone by LaRico Stevenson on the very next play. From there, the teams traded touchdowns before halftime, as Grady hit Joe Hills from 11 yards out to give the Sharks a 28-14 edge at the break.

Philadelphia opened the third quarter with the ball and quickly made it a one-score game, as Marco Thomas took a catch-and-run 31 yards for a touchdown. But the Sharks responded, as Grady hit Hills yet again, this time from five yards out, to extend their lead to 35-28.

That pattern continued until late in the fourth quarter. Each team scored on its first five possessions of the second half, as Thomas accounted for four scores and Hills caught a touchdown pass on four straight drives. Several times, Philadelphia attempted to gain an extra possession with an onside kick, but the Sharks thwarted all four of the Soul's onside attempts.

The Sharks' final score of the game came with just under a minute remaining, as Grady snuck in from a yard out to give Jacksonville a 61-49 lead. But the Soul responded with a score, taking just 18 seconds to march down the field. Raudabaugh's five-yard pass to Thomas pulled Philadelphia within five, setting up the end-of-game situation.

In the win, Grady completed 15 of his 29 pass attempts for 238 yards and eight touchdowns against one interception. Hills was nearly uncoverable in the red zone, catching five passes for 55 yards and five touchdowns, while London Crawford led the Sharks with 94 yards and added a touchdown, while Tiger Jones collected four receptions for 89 yards and two scores.

On defense, LaRoche Jackson led all players with seven total tackles (six solo) to go along with his two interceptions. Terrance Smith recorded six solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups, while Scooter Berry notched the Sharks' only sack.

For Philadelphia, Raudabaugh went 34-of-45 for 377 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions. Thomas led the Soul with 12 catches for 147 yards and four touchdowns, while Kauleinamoku caught 10 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Ryan McDaniel totaled 8 receptions for 78 yards and a score while also notching a rushing touchdown. On defense, Beau Bell led Philadelphia with five solo tackles and a sack, while James Romain notched three pass breakups.

The San Jose SaberCats advanced to ArenaBowl XXVIII with a 70-67 victory over the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday night. Jacksonville and San Jose will square off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 29.

Media Awards

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game - Jacksonville QB Tommy Grady

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game - Jacksonville DB Terrance Smith

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game - Jacksonville WR Joe Hills

Cutters Catch of the Game - Philadelphia WR Ryan McDaniel's diving 26-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter

AFL Highlight of the Game - Jacksonville JLB Alvin Ray Jackson's forced fumble recovered by DB Terrance Smith in the first quarter

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...

Arena Football League Stories from August 23, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Jacksonville Sharks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central