Jacksonville Sharks play for National Arena League championship: What you need to know
NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Who: Jacksonville Sharks vs. Carolina Cobras.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Team records: Jacksonville is 10-3; Carolina is 10-4.
Past meetings: Sharks won 61-52, June 26; Cobras won 50-37, July 29.
Top passers: Jacksonville QB Sam Castronova (209 of 284, 2,824 yards, 65 TD); Carolina QB Malik Henry (258 of 371, 3,116 yards, 60 TD).
Top receivers: Jacksonville WR Kamrin Solomon (116 catches, 1,335 yards, 12 TD); Carolina WR Lance Evans (85 catches, 1,195 yards, 19 TD).
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The skinny: The Sharks go for their third championship in the NAL on Saturday night, after previous triumphs in 2017 and 2019. ... The Sharks also won the 2011 ArenaBowl in the Arena Football League. ... Jacksonville and Carolina split the season series. ... Carolina is unbeaten in its last six since losing to the Sharks on June 26. ... The Cobras are seeking their second NAL title after winning league honors in 2018. ... In addition to former Mandarin High School receiver Solomon, the Sharks are also getting major production in the aerial game from additional locals in Jenson Stoshak (University Christian) and Marquel Wade (Jackson). ... Wide receiver/defensive back Devin Wilson, among the most experienced NAL players, picked off two passes last week and scored a receiving touchdown. ... Sharks coach Jason Gibson is in his fourth NAL championship game but is still looking for his first win, after runner-up finishes in 2017, 2018 and 2021 with the Columbus Lions. ... The NAL, reduced to five teams earlier this year by the departures of the Albany Empire and Fayetteville Mustangs, announced two new arrivals this week. The Omaha Beef and the Sioux City Bandits are scheduled to join in 2024 from Champions Indoor Football.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: National Arena League final 2023: Carolina Cobras-Jacksonville Sharks
