Sharks looking to find momentum

For the second year in a row, the Jacksonville Sharks are trying to overcome a slow start.

Last year, they started out 1-5, finished 9-3 and went to the championship game before losing to now-defunct San Jose.

This year, they come out of the bye week Saturday night at home against Portland with a 2-4 record and are looking for another strong finish.

While the Sharks are guaranteed a playoff spot because all eight teams make the playoffs in the downsized league, they want to rally to host a playoff game after playing three playoff games on the road last year.

They made one major change during the bye week when they signed kicker Jon Striefsky after veteran Marco Capozzoli announced his retirement.

Capozzoli retired as the Sharks' all-time leader in field goals (24) and extra points (121). But he struggled this year and missed a shot at a game-winner field against Cleveland in a 41-40 loss. His 30-yard attempt hit the left upright.

Striefsky, who didn't play last year, kicked one game for Sharks in 2012 and made six extra points against the Sharks when he was filling in for an injured kicker in Cleveland before the bye.

"He a good kicker," Sharks coach Les Moss said. "He's been on our radar screen."

Moss doesn't put any stock in the fact that the Sharks overcame a slow start last year.

"That was a long time ago,'' he said.

While the players had a bye week off, according to the rules of the Arena League's collective bargaining agreement, Moss said the coaches were busy self-scouting.

One of the things the Sharks have to work on is finishing stronger.

The last four games, the team had a fourth-quarter lead and couldn't hold it. Against Cleveland, the Sharks had a 19-point lead in the third quarter and failed to score on their last three possessions.

"This team has to find its way,'' Moss said.

Moss said the Sharks still have plenty of time to make a run.

Noting the teams all play each other, he said, "You want to get hot at the right time.''

Since Portland is winless at 0-6, this might be a good time for the Sharks to get on a roll.

Shane Austin made his debut at quarterback for Portland last week against Cleveland and threw for 363 yards and six touchdowns, but he was intercepted four times.

The Sharks are having military appreciation night with buy one, get one free ticket offers for military personnel.