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Power Head to Shark Tank for CBS Sports Network Matchup

June 27, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks (5-8) will host the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Power (11-3) this Saturday, June 28, in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" action on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. Brent Stover, Sherdrick Bonner and Randy Gatewood will be on the call.

The Sharks, who boast a perfect 4-0 record all-time against Pittsburgh, enter the matchup in dire need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Power come into the contest looking to maintain their footing with the Cleveland Gladiators (12-1) in the East Division title race. Pittsburgh clinched a playoff berth last week with a 57-27 win over the Iowa Barnstormers to bring their winning streak to a franchise-best eight games. Jacksonville has won two of their last three games since returning from their second bye of the season, most recently knocking off the New Orleans VooDoo, 54-13, in Week 15. The Sharks defense racked up nine sacks and allowed just one touchdown in the win.

The Pittsburgh offense will rely on the right arm of 2012 League MVP Tommy Grady, who has brought much needed stability to the quarterback position this season. Grady, who became the franchise's all-time leading passer midway through the year, accounted for 334 yards and seven scores a week ago. His receiving corps is led by third-year pro Prechae Rodriguez, who eclipsed 300 career receptions last week and is now just 52 receiving yards shy of 4,000 for his career. Veteran wideout Rodney Wright has also been a top target, hauling in four touchdown passes in Week 15, while Shaun Kauleinamoku has become Grady's most consistent receiver, collecting a team-high 95 catches on the year.

Pittsburgh has also been a force on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end Jake Killeen and Mac linebacker James Bryant have combined for 10.5 sacks this season, while defensive back Brandon Freeman has come on strong as of late, recording an interception in each of the last three games. The Power defense is giving up just 42.6 points per game which has allowed the team to outscore its opposition by an average of just more than 13 points per contest this year.

In order to combat Pittsburgh's stingy defense, the Sharks will need a big game from quarterback R.J. Archer, who must continue to develop chemistry with a retooled receiving corps following injuries to Jeron Harvey and London Crawford. In their absence, veteran wideout Jomo Wilson leads a group that now features Maurice Williams and rookie Maurice Dupree, who made his AFL debut last week in New Orleans. Despite the new faces on the perimeter, Archer has done a solid job of protecting the football this season, as the Sharks have turned the ball over just 19 times, the second-lowest total in the League. However, Jacksonville will need to be extra careful this week, as Pittsburgh leads the AFL in takeaways with 42, including 30 interceptions in 2014.

Defensively, the Sharks will look to carry over some of last week's aggressive play. Mac linebacker Aaron Robbins and defensive ends Justin Parrish and Jerry Turner all recorded sacks last week; however, the real story has been the play of nose guard James McClinton, who has jump-started the Jacksonville pass rush with a sack in each of the last three games. If McClinton can win his one-on-one battle with perennial All-Arena center Antonio Narcisse, his disruptive play could be just what the Sharks need to upset the upstart Power.



Arena Football League Stories from June 27, 2014


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