Written by Drake Miller- Featured Jr. Journalist Story
Orlando, FL- In the first round of the playoffs, the Orlando Predators lose to the Jacksonville Sharks in an overtime thriller.
In the second quarter the Preds jumped out to a 28-14 lead, and it seemed as if they were going to control the game. That's when the Sharks kicked it into high gear forcing turnovers on their way to two quick scores to cut the Preds lead to just one before the half.
The Sharks opened up the second half with possession and continued where they left off, scoring on their opening possession to take a 33-28 lead after scoring 19 points unanswered.
Both teams then started to trade scores up until the very final seconds of regulation. The very last score of the fourth quarter was a one-yard touchdown run by Bernard Morris tying the game at 61 points. After the score, #18 Mark Lewis missed the extra point that would have won them the game but instead sent it into overtime.
Orlando started overtime with possession and Bernard led the team straight down the field and into the promised land. It was a six play, forty yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Morris, giving Orlando a 68-61 lead.
Then it was the Sharks turn, and they answered right back with a one-yard touchdown run by Derrick Ross. They elected to go for the two-point conversion and Orlando stopped them on the first try. but a penalty flag would give Jacksonville one last try and this time they succeeded, resulting in the end of Orlando's season.
Head coach Rob Keefe spoke highly of his team after the game despite the loss, "I hurt for those guys right now. I don't think anyone in this city right now can be upset at us. The guys gave 100 percent maximum effort. I'm just upset that they fell short."
Orlando will now look ahead to the offseason as they rebuild their roster. The Jacksonville Sharks will move on to face the winner of Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
In the second quarter the Preds jumped out to a 28-14 lead, and it seemed as if they were going to control the game. That's when the Sharks kicked it into high gear forcing turnovers on their way to two quick scores to cut the Preds lead to just one before the half.
The Sharks opened up the second half with possession and continued where they left off, scoring on their opening possession to take a 33-28 lead after scoring 19 points unanswered.
Both teams then started to trade scores up until the very final seconds of regulation. The very last score of the fourth quarter was a one-yard touchdown run by Bernard Morris tying the game at 61 points. After the score, #18 Mark Lewis missed the extra point that would have won them the game but instead sent it into overtime.
Orlando started overtime with possession and Bernard led the team straight down the field and into the promised land. It was a six play, forty yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Morris, giving Orlando a 68-61 lead.
Then it was the Sharks turn, and they answered right back with a one-yard touchdown run by Derrick Ross. They elected to go for the two-point conversion and Orlando stopped them on the first try. but a penalty flag would give Jacksonville one last try and this time they succeeded, resulting in the end of Orlando's season.
Head coach Rob Keefe spoke highly of his team after the game despite the loss, "I hurt for those guys right now. I don't think anyone in this city right now can be upset at us. The guys gave 100 percent maximum effort. I'm just upset that they fell short."
Orlando will now look ahead to the offseason as they rebuild their roster. The Jacksonville Sharks will move on to face the winner of Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.