ORLANDO, FL— The Jacksonville Sharks (9-3) came up short on the road against their in-state rivals, falling to the Orlando Pirates (7-5) by a final score of 54-42. In a mirror image of their recent loss in Green Bay, execution errors and another slow start ultimately decided the game. Playing in front of a hostile crowd at the Kia Center, the Sharks found themselves chasing points early as Orlando capitalized heavily on some big running plays. While Jacksonville fought to the very end and eventually found its footing offensively, the damage from the opening half proved too much to overcome on the road.

The Pirates took complete control of the game's momentum behind an efficient aerial assault led by quarterback Paxton DeLaurent. DeLaurent continually extended plays, finding star targets like Nyqwan Murray for crucial scores, including a stunning, late pitch over the top in the fourth quarter that kept the Sharks at bay. Jacksonville's defensive unit struggled to clamp down when it mattered most, letting Orlando turn critical third downs into chunk yardage. The Sharks moved the ball well at times, but couldn't find the end zone. It was a combination of stalled drives and an explosive special teams touchdown by Orlando's Pooka Williams that put the game away. 

Trailing significantly late in the second half, the Sharks refused to roll over. The offense kept battling during the final quarters, trading blows as they tried to narrow the deficit. Jacksonville's continuous grind yielded a late surge, highlighted by a fourth-quarter touchdown that cut Orlando's lead to 54-40. A successful two-point conversion immediately following the score brought it to 54-42. However, the Sharks never threatened to take a lead. With control of the game in hand, the Pirates' high-powered offense ran out the clock and sealed the victory.

With this loss, the Sharks drop their second consecutive road contest. The road does not get any easier for the Sharks as they face the red-hot San Diego Strike Force (9-2) in the tank next week. The Sharks will look to regroup, protect their home field, and get back into the win column next week.

It's Red Out night, this Sunday, as the Sharks induct star QB Aaron Garcia into the Ring of Honor, presented by Kia on Atlantic.  Be there to join in the celebration and help the Sharks get back into the win column.  Tickets start at just $15  ask about our family 4 packs.  Call 904-621-0700 or go to jaxsharks.com to purchase or for more information.

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 2026 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700 or visit the official Shark Nation Memberships page. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks.