28 Football Preview 2015
Ponte Vedra Recorder ·August 27, 2015
Photo by Mark Palczewski
With the 61-56 victory over Philadelphia Jacksonville now advances to face the San Jose Sabercats in ArenaBowl XXVIII on Saturday. In 2011 the Sharks won ArenaBowl XXIV in the club’s second season
as a franchise.
Jacksonville Sharks headed to AFL Arena Bowl
Mike Bonts
Special to the Recorder
LaRoche Jackson’s game-ending interception as
time expired sealed the Jacksonville Sharks’ 6156 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena
Football League (AFL) American Conference Championship at the Wells Fargo Center.
Jacksonville now advances to face the San Jose
Sabercats in ArenaBowl XXVIII on Saturday, Aug.
29. In 2011 the Sharks won ArenaBowl XXIV in the
club’s second season as a franchise.
Jacksonville (12-8) had the ball in Philadelphia
(16-4) territory with a six-point lead and less than
30 seconds remaining.
But aft er three consecutive incompletions, Julian
Rauch’s 28-yard field goal attempt missed wide
right, giving the Soul a final possession with 18
seconds left. The Soul moved the ball inside the
Sharks’ 15-yard line with just two seconds left in the
game.
On the final play of the game, Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh fired into the end zone in
the direction of receiver Lonnie Outlaw. But with
Greg Reid in coverage, the ball deflected into the
air, and Jackson secured his second interception of
the game to seal the victory.
The Sharks never trailed and built a two-score
lead in the first half.
Jacksonville QB Tommy Grady completed 15 of
his 29 pass attempts for 238 yards and eight touchdowns against one interception. Joe Hills caught
five passes for 55 yards and five touchdowns, while
London Crawford led the Sharks with 94 yards and
added a touchdown. Tiger Jones collected four receptions for 89 yards and two scores.
On defense Jackson led all players with seven
total tackles (six solo) to go along with his two
SHARKS continues on Page 29