LOWELL, MA -The Sharks fell just short of victory in their Indoor Football League (IFL) debut on the road against their former rivals Massachusetts Pirates.
Rookie RB Logan Wright put the Sharks on the board first with a 22-yard rushing touchdown. Jacksonville led by seven at the end of the first quarter.
The Pirates answered quickly thanks to a rushing score from WR Isaac Zico in the beginning of the second quarter. DB Eugene Ford scored just minutes after, giving Massachusetts the lead.
As the half ended, the Sharks responded with an interception run back for touchdown by DB Brion Murray. The Sharks tied the Pirates 14-14 going into halftime.
Pirate WR Teo Redding scored his first touchdown to start the third quarter, but the extra point was blocked by Sharks DL Ulric Jones and recovered by DL Jermiah Price. The Pirates took a 20-14 lead into the final quarter.
On the first play of the fourth, RB Jimmie Robinson scored his first touchdown of the evening, giving the Pirates a 26-14 lead. A failed two-point conversion kept the lead at 12. Sharks QB Conor Blount threw to Marquis McClain for his first touchdown of the season, cutting into the Pirates lead.
The Pirates put the game away in the last quarter, beating the Sharks 26-21.
Bennefield led the Pirates with four touchdowns and 141 yards.
Blount rushed for 22 yards and threw for 138 yards with one touchdown. WR Brian Jr. Smith had 78 receiving yards.
On defense, DB Harrison Poole totaled seven tackles and Murray recorded a pick-six.
The Sharks will look for their first win of the season in week three as they head to Vegas to face the Knighthawks on Easter Sunday.
About the Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The 4X Champions play all their home games on True Vet Field at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Season tickets for the 2024 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700 or visit https://www.jaxsharks.com/shark-nation-memberships. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.
