Week Six Preview: Sharks vs. Cobras
May 25, 2022 - National Arena League (NAL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Sharks (1-4) enter their second straight away game this week as last weekend the Sharks suffered their fourth loss of the season on the road in Albany, NY. The Sharks will face a familiar foe this week the (5-0) Carolina Cobras who remain at the top of the NAL standings after gaining their fifth win this season in their week 5 matchup against the San Antonio Gunslingers. The Sharks entered the game as the underdog but had success on the road against the Cobras as the Sharks were only a single touchdown away from upsetting the Carolina Cobras in week 3.
Much adversity faced the week 5 Sharks who battled injuries to key players like WR/DB Kamrin Solomon who was placed on short-term injury reserve shortly before the Sharks traveled to Albany. Jacksonville also lost their league-leading quarterback Malik Henry right before the half against the Empire the Sharks battled without the star the rest of the game but were only able to add 15 more points in the second half. The Shark's 62-29 loss in New York was their largest defeat of the season which goes unparalleled to their largest victory in week 4 at home against the Columbus Lions. The 49-20 victory soared the Sharks in the standings, stats, and unfortunately expectations. The Jacksonville defense combined for nine sacks and three interceptions in week 4 and only amassed two interceptions and no sacks in week 5.
Going into week 6 the homestead Sharks (1-1) would have a fair shot of upsetting the high-standing Carolina Cobras that have faltered but not fallen to defeat yet this season. Unfortunately the Sharks will not have home field advantage and will need to get the victory on the road game to change the 1-4 narrative with no bye weeks every game will count and Jacksonville will need to finish in the top four to advance to the postseason. A victory against a top-seeded Cobras team will poise the Sharks to help make that happen as the team would advance to 2-4 with a winless San Antonio Gunslingers scheduled for the next home game on Friday, June 3.
Unfortunately, this far into the season, we are in situational play, relying on injury reports can propel or sink the Sharks week by week. A big situational move is going to be at the quarterback position, if the NAL star Malik Henry can return to action he has proven to get the Sharks in the win column but does face one of the toughest defenses in the NAL. If he is not a go for week 6 backup quarterback Damion May will step up to help deliver a much needed victory. May showcased some flashes of elite play with two impressive touchdown passes under pressure but we also saw May make mistakes with the ball as two fumbles cost the Sharks and allowed points to go in another direction. Jacksonville will hope to get some of their players back from injury WR/DB Kamrin Solomon who played the ironman role well in the Shark's victory over the Lions could be a key factor in a Sharks upset.
This week's game will kick off Saturday, May 30 in Greensboro, NC. Fans not attending the game can watch live on YouTube or at our away game watch party at Dicks Wings & Grill, stay turned as the Sharks will announce the location of the party later this week.
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National Arena League Stories from May 25, 2022
- Game Preview - Week Six - Jacksonville - Carolina Cobras
- Carolina Cobras Use the Force, Defeat Gunslingers 72-35 - Carolina Cobras
- Week Six Preview: Sharks vs. Cobras - Jacksonville Sharks
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