Sharks Fight to Keep Win Streak Alive

July 9, 2019 - National Arena League (NAL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release

JACKSONVILLE - The #1 ranked Jacksonville Sharks (10-1) are sailing into Week 14 on a 10-game win streak, their third longest win-streak in team history. They travel to Massachusetts to take on the Pirates (7-4), who are on a streak of their own with six straight wins after defeating the New York Streets 54-52 last Friday night. If the Sharks win, they will clinch the #1 seed and secure home field throughout the playoffs. The Sharks currently lead the regular season series 1-0 against the Pirates after winning in Worcester 55-36 in Week 4.

Last week, the Sharks were able to force eight total turnovers against the Predators, seven of which were interceptions, with Seth Ellis leading the team with a season best three interceptions against Orlando.

When comparing the two teams and their impressive win-streaks, the Sharks have the Pirates beat when it comes to Scoring Offense (55.2-48.9), Scoring Defense (32.4-46.5), Kicking Points (8.2-7.6), Total Offense (258.8-216.5), Total Defense (192.5-250.5), Pass Offense (238.5-192.7), Pass Defense (175.7-239.5), Interceptions Thrown (10-12), Interceptions Forced (25-13), Fumbles Recovered (10-2), and Sacks (28-20).

This season the Sharks have two quarterbacks who have played in six games or more. Jonathan Bane has played in seven games while Mike Fafaul has played in six. In his seven games with the Sharks, Bane is 133-of-229 (58.08%) for 1,538 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He averages over 219 yards, four touchdowns, and less than one interception per game. Bane's five interceptions also ties the league in the least amount of interceptions in the NAL this season. That number is shared with Fafaul, who is (64.33%) for 1,107 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He averages 184.5 yards, 4.5 touchdowns, and less than one interception per game. Our competition has Sean Brackett, who also played for the Sharks in the Arena Football League (AFL) days. Brackett has been with the NAL Pirates both in 2018 and this season. So far this season, Brackett is 206-of-325 (63.38%) for 2,193 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He averages over 199 yards, four touchdowns per game as well as averaging one interception per game.

The two top Wide Receivers in the league square off this weekend as Sharks' Devin Wilson and Pirates' Mardy Gilyard leave everything on the field. Wilson currently has 86 receptions for 977 yards and 24 touchdowns, which is an average of over seven receptions, 88 yards, and two touchdowns per game. While Gilyard, also former Shark, has 65 receptions for 782 yards and 23 touchdowns. That's an average of over five receptions, 71 yards, and just over two touchdowns per game. It'll be interesting to see which of these stars stand out on Saturday.

Two potential All-NAL Defensive Backs also see the same field this weekend as the Sharks' Seth Ellis and Pirates' Lawrence Austin meet yet again. Ellis has helped hold quarterbacks to under a 45 quarterback rating all season long, having 13 interceptions on the year and recently setting a franchise record with 3 interceptions in one game. Austin has eight interceptions and 18 pass breakups.

This weekend's game will be streamed live on the National Arena League YouTube channel at 7 p.m. (ET). The next Sharks home game will be next Saturday, July 20 at 7p.m. (ET) against Massachusetts in their final regular-season battle. For tickets to the game, please call (904) 621-0700, visit www.jaxsharks.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets start as low as $10.

Jacksonville Sharks kicking off at the Massachusetts Pirates

National Arena League Stories from July 9, 2019

• Sharks Fight to Keep Win Streak Alive - Jacksonville Sharks

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.

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