Late Game Heroics Lift Predators Past Rival Sharks
Monday April 18, 2016
ORLANDO – April 18, 2016 – The Orlando Predators (3-0) renewed their rivalry with the Jacksonville Sharks (1-2) in front of 7,835 fans at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Monday night. The back-and-forth battle came down to the game’s final moments as Orlando emerged with a 63-56 victory to remain perfect on the 2016 season.
The contest looked to be in jeopardy when Jacksonville recovered an onside kick to regain possession inside Orlando territory with under a minute remaining and the score tied, 56-56. In need of a big play from the defense, nose guard Terrance Taylor answered the call for the Predators as he broke through the interior and stripped Jacksonville QB Tommy Grady, recovering the loose ball to regain possession for Orlando with only 32 seconds remaining.
Two plays into the resulting drive, Hippeard dropped back and launched a deep 33-yard pass to WR Greg Carr, who secured an outstanding one-handed touchdown grab with a defender hanging on him.
Jacksonville got the ball back with 19 seconds remaining and managed to drive to Orlando’s 10, but DB Varmah Sonie broke up a pass to the end zone as time expired to seal the victory.
Randy Hippeard completed 26-of-37 pass attempts for 296 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions, adding 12 yards and two more scores on the ground. Brandon Thompkins paced the receiving corps with nine receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown and also returned a missed field goal 54 yards for a score. Making his first appearance of the season, Larry Brackins caught two passes for 37 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 12-yard kick return for a score. Greg Carr added eight receptions for 108 yards and another score.
The Predators return to the Amway Center in Week 4 to take on the LA KISS on Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 407-355-2200 or online at OrlandoPredators.com.
UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jacksonville WR Joe Hills
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jacksonville LB Alvin Ray Jackson
J.LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME: Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: 33-yard TD reception by Orlando WR Greg Carr (Q4 | 0:19)
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME: 54-yard missed FG return for a TD by Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins (Q2 | 0:00)
ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS
The Orlando Predators celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 2016 as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.
