Jacksonville Sharks Win Fourth Title


The Sharks converted a fourth and 19 with less than a minute remaining when quarterback Sam Castronova escaped pressure and connected with Marquel Wade to seal the win and the National Arena League (NAL) championship for Jacksonville.  

The Sharks beat the Carolina Cobras 54-45 to win their third NAL championship in the last six years as well as an ArenaBowl title from 2011 in the Arena Football League.  

Castronova completed 19 of 33 passes for 241 and four touchdowns and led the Sharks back from a 31-14 deficit early in the game.  

The Sharks finished the regular season 10-3 then routed the Orlando Predators 62-18 in the semifinals.  Their last title was in 2019 when they also beat the Carolina Cobras.  Carolina's last title was in 2018.

Watch a replay of the game here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/hUjjnmRB3e4?feature=share

(You really should watch the final two minutes of this game)

The NAL will continue to grow next season as the Omaha Beef and Sioux City Bandits will join the league next season.  It is expected that the league will lose the Orlando Predators in the relaunch of the Arena Football League (AFL)

Here is a recap of the season:

  1. Jacksonville Sharks (10-3)
  2. Carolina Cobras (9-4)
  3. San Antonio Gunslingers (8-4)
  4. Orlando Predators (4-7)
  5. West Texas Warbirds (2-11)
  6. Fayetteville Mustangs (4-4)*
  7. Albany Empire (1-6)*
* - did not finish the season

Semifinals
Jacksonville 62, Orlando 18
Carolina 52, San Antonio 36

Championship
Jacksonville 54, Carolina 45 

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