Football Preview 2015 29
Ponte Vedra Recorder · August 27, 2015
Photo by Mark Palczewski
The Jacksonville Sharks never trailed and built a two-score lead in the first half over Philadelphia before going to a 61-56 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League (AFL) American
Conference Championship .
Sharks
covered by Smith in the first quarter.
All-area honors
Continued from 28
interceptions. Terrance Smith recorded
six solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a
fumble recovery and two pass breakups, while Scooter Berry notched the
Sharks’ only sack.
Raudabaugh was 34-of-45 for 377
yards and seven touchdowns against
two interceptions. Marco Thomas led
the Soul with 12 catches for 147 yards
and four touchdowns, while Shaun
Kauleinamoku caught 10 passes for
149 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Beau Bell led Philadelphia with
five solo tackles and a sack, while
James Romain notched three pass
breakups.
The Sabercats advanced to ArenaBowl XXVIII with a 70-67 victory
over the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday
night.
Game awards
Offensive Player of the Game, Jack-
sonville QB Tommy Grady; Defensive
Player of the Game, Jacksonville defensive back Terrance Smith; Playmaker of the Game, Jacksonville wide
receiver Joe Hills; Catch of the Game,
Philadelphia wide receiver Ryan
McDaniel’s diving 26-yard touchdown
catch in the fourth quarter; Highlight
of the Game, Jacksonville linebacker
Alvin Ray Jackson’s forced fumble re-
Seven Sharks earned 2015 First and
Second Team All-Arena Offense and
Defensive honors. Making his fifth
straight first team appearance on offense was fullback Derrick Ross. The
AFL’s all-time leading rusher continued his assault on the record books in
2015, this time setting new club highs
with 586 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on 147 carries.
Wide receiver Anthony Jones, was
selected for the fifth time in seven
seasons. He is joined by offensive
lineman and pass protector Moqut
Ruffins. Wide receiver Joe Hills was
named to the second team. Headlining the first team defensive squad was
Joe Sykes at defensive end, who set
new single-season AFL records with
18.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles, Jack
linebacker was Alvin Ray Jackson,
who led all Jacks with 11 takeaways
on the year. Greg Reid was selected at
defensive back.