Following some roster adjustment, the Jacksonville Sharks (0-4) entered the Desert Diamond Arena Sunday afternoon seeking their first win in the IFL against the Arizona Rattlers (2-3).
The Sharks kicked off the game, starting the Rattlers at the 25-yard line. DB Harrison Poole nearly intercepted a throw from Rattler's quarterback, Dalton Sneed but lost his grip. The following play Jacksonville sacked Sneed turning over the ball to the Sharks. QB Fred Payton Jr. threw to WR Jeremiah Payton moving the ball down the field to the 5 yard line. Jacksonville posted a touchdown from WR Kamrin Solomon with a flag on the play for illegal defense from number 24 on the Rattlers. The Sharks declined the call for their first touchdown of the game. DL Ulric Jones put pressure on Reed immediately followed by a sack by LB Sir Zion Dance. Stubbs ran the field from one endzone to the other, but the team was called back after a holding call against the Sharks. Rattlers kicker Dustin Evans scored a deuce. The score of the end of the first was 7-5 Sharks.
Moments into the second quarter Arizona Coach Guy called for a play review. The call was ruled in Arizona's favor for Illegal defense on Jacksonville's Caleb Ham. RB Shannon Brooks secured the Rattler's first touchdown and lead of the game with a score of 12-7. The Sharks were called on a false start by number 63 Nick Roos followed by a timeout called by Coach Gibson. Payton and RB Boom Williams are consistent components for moving the ball down the field. The Payton duo secured another touchdown for Sharks making the score 14-12 Jacksonville. In the final minute in the first half, Williams made a full body extension for a touchdown. The Rattlers squeezed in a touchdown in the last second of the first half taking the lead 26-21.
Stubbs started off the third quarter running the ball one endzone to the other followed by a field goal taking back the lead 28-26. Arizona's Jamal Miles scored a wide-open touchdown taking back the lead for the Rattlers 32-28. Jacksonville threw an interception to Rattlers DB Omari Alexander. Immediately following the Rattlers interception, Arizona fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Jacksonville . Solomon made a long yard catch straight into the dasher boards exiting the field following the play. Payton was called for Intentional grounding when attempting to get rid of the ball to avoid being sacked. The Sharks finished the third quarter trailing the Rattlers 32-28.
The Rattlers started the fourth quarter with the ball and nearly lost it in the first minute of play with a near interception from DB Jabari Gorman. Solomon returned to the field and exited, heading to the locker rooms again followed by WR Jeremiah Payton. Sneed threw an interception to DB Harrison Poole putting the Sharks back in scoring position. Williams scored a walk-in touchdown in addition to a Sharks field goal chipping away at the Rattlers lead with a score of 39-35. The Sharks were called off-sides on back-to-back plays following the change at quarterback to N'Kosi Perry. The Rattlers scored an additional touchdown with 33 seconds left in the game raising the score 55-35. The Rattlers took a knee for the final play of the game and a final score of 55-35.
The Sharks continue their season with another road game against the Tulsa Oilers next Friday, May 3. Kickoff at 8:05 PM.
