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Tampa Bay Storm vs. Jacksonville Sharks Game Preview

June 6, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa Bay Storm Wide Receiver T.T. Toliver
Tampa Bay Storm Wide Receiver T.T. Toliver
(Tampa Bay Storm, Credit: Scott Audette/Tampa Bay Storm)

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm (1-8, 0-4) hosts the Jacksonville Sharks (4-5, 3-2) on Wellness Night, this Saturday, June 11 at AMALIE Arena. Fans in attendance will witness history, as Storm wide receiver T.T. Toliver continues his quest to become the League's all-time leader in career receiving yards and receptions. Fans will be able to catch all of the action as Darek Sharp and Ian Beckles make the call for 1250 AM WHNZ. The game will also be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. ET.

This will be the 16th overall meeting between the Storm and Sharks and the ninth in Tampa. While the Sharks hold an overall series record of 11-4, the series is tied at 4-4 when the Storm takes on Jacksonville at home. In this season's first matchup, the Storm lost by a score of 33-27.

This weekend's game will hold special significance not only in League history but also in Professional Football History. All fans in attendance will witness future hall of famer T.T. Toliver become the League's all-time leader in receiving yards. The 13-year veteran sits at 15,108 yards, needing just 27 to surpass Damian Harrell (15,134). Once Toliver reaches this milestone, he will rank seventh all-time in professional football history (NFL, CFL, AFL).

The Daytona native is also on his way to becoming the League's all-time leader in receptions. Toliver currently sits at 1,152 and needs just 13 to surpass Harrell (1,164) to become the League leader. When he reaches 1,165, Toliver will rank third all-time in Professional Football History behind Jerry Rice (1,549) and Tony Gonzalez (1,325).

The game will also see the Sharks return for the second game of a three-game season series. Last time out, the Storm saw the game slip away in the waning seconds, with the team losing by just five points. The story of the game was the Storm defense which held the Sharks offense to just 33 points, Jacksonville's lowest offensive output of the season. Tampa Bay will look to repeat that performance and limit the Sharks number one scoring option in Joe Hills.

The Storm defense will also need to watch out for Sharks receivers Tiger Jones and Reggie Gray. Versus the Soul this past weekend, Jones caught five passes for 71 yards. He also caught his 1,000th career reception, making him the 5th player in League history to accomplish this feat.

Gray played his first game in a Sharks uniform this past weekend and made an immediate impact catching eight passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He would also return a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown.

With Hills, Jones and Gray, the Sharks have put together one of the best receiving corps. in the League. Any of the three could be a number one option and each has the ability to go off at any time. The defense will need to be on its toes if it wants to succeed.

With both teams coming off of disappointing losses, look for this game to be a fight to the finish. Regardless of the records, both teams will be ready to bring their a-games.

The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm is entering its 25th season in Tampa Bay. For more specific details regarding single-game pricing and availability, please contact the Storm ticket office at 813.301.6600 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting TampaBayStorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600. For group sales fans can contact 813.301.6900. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.




Images from this story

Tampa Bay Storm Wide Receiver T.T. Toliver
Tampa Bay Storm Wide Receiver T.T. Toliver
(Scott Audette/Tampa Bay Storm)		   



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