Predators Defeat Sharks In Last-Second Thriller
Sunday March 16, 2014
Team Wins First Game In CFE Arena
ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Predators opened the CFE Arena and Rob Keefe era in style, as the team defeated the 2013 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks by a score of 49-47.
In the final moments of the game, the Predators defense was able to prevent the Jacksonville offense from tying the game on a two-point conversion. Russell Athletic Offensive Player Of The Game Jason Boltus threw for 176 yards and four touchdowns while adding two more on the ground. The quarterback completed 17 of 33 passes for 176 yards.
Boltus and the Predators got off to an electric start; as the quarterback connected with rookie wide receiver Kendal Thompkins for a 10-yard score on the games first drive. The Predators defense would hold strong on Jacksonville’s first possession, however, as the unit forced a turnover on downs. Boltus would then connect with Braylon Bell on a 9-yard score to give the Predators a 14-0 lead with 3:23 left in the first quarter. On Jacksonville’s next drive, quarterback R.J. Archer connected with London Crawford on a 24-yard pass for a touchdown to close out the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Predators held the 14-6 advantage.
On Jacksonville’s second possession of the game, quarterback R.J. Archer orchestrated a five-play drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown score to London Crawford. Crawford was able to evade two would-be tacklers on his way to finding the end zone.
The Predators were able to answer back on the very next drive, however, as Jason Boltus and Braylon Bell continued to be in sync. The quarterback connected with Bell for his second touchdown of the game touchdown on a 9-yard pass play with 11:18 remaining in the second quarter. Mardy Gilyard and Jeron Harvey added two more scores for the Sharks in the quarter respectively, while Khalil Paden added a touchdown reception for the Predators. At halftime, the Predators held a 28-21 lead.
With five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Boltus connected with Paden for his second score of the game. The Sharks would answer back on their very next drive, however, after Jeron Harvey caught a touchdown pass from R.J. Archer. At the end of the third quarter, the Predators lead by a score of 35-27.
The teams would go on to score 34 points combined in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 49-47. Sharks quarterback R.J. Archer finished the game with 276 yards
passing on 27 completions and 35 attempts. The quarterback threw five touchdowns in the game.
The Predators will have a short week heading into Week 2 as the team takes on the Los Angeles Kiss (1-0) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Jason Boltus (ORL)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Justin Parrish (JAX)
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of The Game – Braylon Bell
Cutters Catch of The Game – London Crawford (12:56 left in 4th quarter)
AFL Highlight of The Game – Arness Inkner’s 55-yard Kickoff Return (4th quarter)
ABOUT ORLANDO PREDATORS: Orlando's Arena Football franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are heading into their 23rd year in the Arena Football League. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 19 times and advanced to the ArenaBowl seven times- winning the championship in 1998 and 2000.
