Predators vs Sharks
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Boltus leads Preds to first victory over Jacksonville since 2010 in Home Opener
By: Adrian Beecher Orlando, FL.- Leading by 2 with just 8 seconds left in the game, Orlando was able to deny Jacksonville’s 2-point conversion attempt to seal their first victory of the 2014 season with a 49-47 win over their division rivals. It was the Predators first win over the Sharks since 2010 and Head Coach Rob Keefe’s first win as Orlando Predators Head Coach as the Pred’s opened up their season in their new home at CFE Arena. “Could not ask for much more than beating a rival that we haven’t beaten in 3 years, in a new Arena with great fans in the dramatic fashion that it ended.” Said Keefe of the win. Orlando Quarterback Jason Boltus didn’t take long to find the endzone in his new home. Boltus led the Pred’s on their opening drive down the field in 8 plays, capping it off with a 10yd touchdown pass to Kendal Thompkins to give them a 7-0 lead. The Pred’s defense held strong forcing a turnover on downs giving the offense the ball back first and goal at the 7yd line. Boltus then wasted little time connecting with Braylon Bell for a second score on the second play of the drive to give Orlando a 14-0 advantage. The Sharks fought to stay in the game as QB R. J. Archer threw a 24yd strike to wideout London Crawford as time expired in the 1st quarter to give us a 14-7 game going into the second quarter. Archer finished the game 27of 39 for 276–yards passing and 5 td’s. |
Boltus once again connected with Braylon Bell finding the endzone on their 1st drive of the second quarter extending the Preds lead to 21-7. Orlando and Jacksonville would then exchange scores before the half. After the Jacksonville D forced a turnover by the Preds, Jacksonvlle’s Fabrizio Scaccia missed a 36-yard field goal wide right as time expired leaving the score 28-20 going into halftime.
As the Sharks started their opening possession of the second half, their drive was halted by the Preds stout defense. Arness Ikner was able to make a solid open field tackle on the right side of the field near the wall at the 1-yard line on fourth and goal forcing a turnover on downs. Orlando immediately took the ball down the field 44-yards in just 3 plays to extend their lead to 35-20 with a td reception from Khalil Paden.
Early into the fourth the Sharks were able to trim the lead to just 1 as Archer connected with Crawford for the second time of the night to make it a 35-34 game with just 12:40 left in the fourth qt, but Scaccia missed the extra point which would prove costly in the end. Crawford led Jacksonville in receiving yards finishing the night with 6 receptions for 128-yards and 2 TD’s. |
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Both sides then traded scores making it 42-41 with just less than eight minutes left in the game. The Preds would take the ball all the way back down field eating up 5 minutes worth of the clock and putting the ball into the endzone to give Orlando a 49-41 lead with just 1:55 left on the clock.
As the Sharks took over thoughts of overtime were prevalent in their minds. They were able to get the ball into the endzone as Jared McGriff-Culver rushed in for a 1-yard score. But the magic soon halted as the Pred’s D was able to maintain excellent coverage on the 2-point conversion attempt forcing a poor pass from Archer which fell incomplete in the back of the endzone giving the Predators their first win of the season.
Orlando Predators QB Jason Boltus was named the Russell Athletic Offensive player of the game, as he was able to get the job done not only with his arm but also with his legs. Bolutus finished the game passing for four touchdowns and rushing for two more. “That kid’s one heck of an athlete, not only is he one heck of an athlete, he’s only going to get better.” Said Predators Head Coach Rob Keefe of Boltus, “He puts on a hard hat everyday, he comes to work.”
Orlando will have a quick turnaround as they are set to play L.A. Kiss in just 5 days this Friday March 21st at 7:30pm at CFE Arena in Orlando. The Sharks will look to regroup as they head into their bye week before facing off against the San Antonio Talons on March 29th at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL at 7:00pm.
Media Awards
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Orlando QB Jason Boltus
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Jacksonville DL Justin Parrish
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Orlando WR Braylon Bell
Cutters Catch of the Game – Jacksonville WR London Crawford’s fourth-quarter catch down the left sideline
AFL Highlight of the Game – Orlando DB Arness Ikner’s kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter
As the Sharks took over thoughts of overtime were prevalent in their minds. They were able to get the ball into the endzone as Jared McGriff-Culver rushed in for a 1-yard score. But the magic soon halted as the Pred’s D was able to maintain excellent coverage on the 2-point conversion attempt forcing a poor pass from Archer which fell incomplete in the back of the endzone giving the Predators their first win of the season.
Orlando Predators QB Jason Boltus was named the Russell Athletic Offensive player of the game, as he was able to get the job done not only with his arm but also with his legs. Bolutus finished the game passing for four touchdowns and rushing for two more. “That kid’s one heck of an athlete, not only is he one heck of an athlete, he’s only going to get better.” Said Predators Head Coach Rob Keefe of Boltus, “He puts on a hard hat everyday, he comes to work.”
Orlando will have a quick turnaround as they are set to play L.A. Kiss in just 5 days this Friday March 21st at 7:30pm at CFE Arena in Orlando. The Sharks will look to regroup as they head into their bye week before facing off against the San Antonio Talons on March 29th at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL at 7:00pm.
Media Awards
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Orlando QB Jason Boltus
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Jacksonville DL Justin Parrish
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Orlando WR Braylon Bell
Cutters Catch of the Game – Jacksonville WR London Crawford’s fourth-quarter catch down the left sideline
AFL Highlight of the Game – Orlando DB Arness Ikner’s kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter