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NAL National Arena League

Sharks Shatter Cobras Win Streak 59-57

May 28, 2022 - National Arena League (NAL) News Release


GREENSBORO, NC - The Sharks completed a tough two-week road trip between the Albany Empire last week and tonight against the Carolina Cobras in North Carolina. The Sharks (1-4) entered the game as a heavy underdog against the #1 ranked team in the NAL, the (5-0) Carolina Cobras. However, the Sharks did not let the past affect them in the Snake Pit as they got on the scoreboard immediately, with new quarterback Arvell Nelson scoring on his first play as a Shark with a screen pass to WR/DB Miles Kelly for the touchdown to open the game.

During the first quarter, both teams exchanged offensive blows on offense as the Cobras struck back when Cobras star wideout Kendricks Ings snagged a touchdown from Cobra QB Jonathan Bane followed by a Cobras deuce by kicker TC Stevens. Then Sharks star wide receiver Devin Wilson answered back with his first score of the night bringing the score to 14-9. From there the blows from this heavyweight fight continued, a desperate Cobras offense punched in a rushing touchdown to avoid the four and out while the Sharks delivered their rushing touchdown of the night on their next drive from FB/LB Anthony Johnson. What looked like a boxing match on the field seemed to be a game of offensive chess between Sharks Head Coach Siaha Burley and former Sharks Head Coach James Fuller (Cobras Offensive Coordinator).

Both teams scored again on back-to-back drives. Coach Burley responded with another quick score to receiver Devin Wilson, his second of the night. Fuller responded by going to his workhorse as quarterback Jonathan Bane threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Ings to bring the score to 30-28 with the Sharks down towards the end of the half. New Sharks quarterback Arvell Nelson showed no driving the Sharks down the field and DL/FB Chei Hill finished the drive with a rushing touchdown to put the Sharks up 35-30 but Sharks kicker Cody Barber added a deuce before the end of the half, his first of the season giving the Sharks the 37-30 lead, Barber also went 5/5 on extra points in the first half. The Cobras with time under 30-seconds managed to punch in a rushing touchdown by FB/LB Zack Brown but failed to convert the two-point conversion giving Jacksonville the lead at halftime.

The red-hot Sharks kicker Cody Barber re-entered the game to kick another deuce to start the half for the Sharks and to pin the Cobras back for their first drive of the second half giving the Sharks a 39-36 lead. The Sharks defense stepped up to stop the Cobras forcing a field goal attempt that was missed by Cobras TC Stevens. Jacksonville jumped at the opportunity to extend the lead as Arvell Nelson entered the second half but did not start this half with a score as he threw an interception to WR/DB Kendrick Ings his only turnover of the night. The Sharks stopped the Cobras again this time on a turnover on downs. The Sharks Arville Nelson threw a touchdown pass to Devin Wilson to put the Sharks up 46-36. The Cobras countered with another touchdown to Kendrick Ings and the Sharks struck back with a quarterback sneak with Nelson to give the Sharks the 10-point lead 53-43.

The Sharks defense forced the Cobras to 4th & 4 near the endzone, but the Cobras slithered out by getting the ball into Lance Evans' hands for his second score. Jacksonville on the next drive found themselves in a similar fourth and short but went to WR/DB Nyqwan Murray for the game-saving touchdown with the score 69-50 due to a missed extra point Sharks Kicker Cody Barber would finish the night 7/8. In a last-ditch effort to save their streak the Cobras launched ball after ball down the field but would only get one more score by way of receiver James Summers who got his only one late in the game. The Sharks ended the Cobras win streak with a 59-56 win on the road in North Carolina.

In his first game with the Sharks the AFL veteran quarterback Arville Nelson led the Sharks to victory with a hard to believe first game with less than a week with the team. Nelson had 18 passes for 243 yards, five passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown, surrendering only one interception. His top target tonight was receiver Devin Wilson who had three receiving touchdowns. Defensively it was a real battle to try to slow down the undefeated Cobras but Jacksonville did it with three turnovers on downs tonight FB/Linebacker Anthony Johnson gained a sack tonight along with three tackles while DL/FB Chei Hill ended the night with a sack and four tackles. The Sharks kicker had his best night tonight going 7/8 on extra points and two deuces that may have determined the outcome of the game.

Jacksonville now returns home to face the San Antonio Gunslingers (0-4) Friday, June 3rd. Tickets are on sale now for this game visit jaxsharks.com for tickets or call: 904-621-0700 ext. 717.



National Arena League Stories from May 28, 2022


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