The Jacksonville Sharks have been one of the premier teams in Arena Football over the last couple of years and looked to remain at the top in 2013. Jacksonville's main goal for this past season wasn't to just win the division, it was to make an appearance in the Arena Bowl.
The Sharks returned most of their division-winning team from 2012, so as expected they didn't take much time to get rolling this season. Jacksonville came out of the gate with six consecutive wins that included a narrow 40-34 victory over Iowa in week five and a dramatic 55-53 win at Philadelphia the following week. Jacksonville's 6-0 start had them as the AFL's last unbeaten team, but a home game against Arizona gave them their toughest test of the year. The Sharks fell behind early and were unable to comeback, dropping their first game of the season 58-48 to Arizona in week seven. The loss sent Jacksonville a step back as they would lose their next two games to fall to 6-3 and have fans wondering if the strong start was a fluke. Jacksonville had to battle a slate of injuries throughout the season, but fought through it to erase any doubt.
With Bernard Morris at the helm, a relatively healthy receiving core, and one of the League's best defenses the Sharks responded by putting together three two-game winning streaks in the second half of the season. Jacksonville's solid run during the summer months of the year was good enough to clinch their fourth straight south division title and also earn home field advantage in this year's American Conference playoffs. In the conference semifinals the Sharks got off to a sluggish start that put them in a 22-point hole entering the fourth quarter, but led by Bernard Morris and the faithful of the Shark Tank they came back to outscore Tampa Bay 36-14 in the final period to escape with a 69-62 win. Jacksonville advanced to their third consecutive conference championship game and had a chance at redemption when Philadelphia also held on in their semifinal game to setup the rematch. Once again the Sharks got off to a sloppy start, but this time against a full-strength Philadelphia squad they weren't as fortunate. The Sharks fell behind by as much as 26 points by the second half and were unable to get closer than within fourteen points, having their season come to an end at the hands of Philadelphia for the second year in a row in a disappointing 75-59 loss. Despite another season falling short of the Arena Bowl, the Sharks enjoyed a successful 2013 that brought them a fourth straight south division crown.
The Good from 2013:
- A fourth straight south division championship
- A 6-0 division record
- A 6-3 home record
- A 6-3 road record
- Reaching their third consecutive American Conference Championship game
- Four All Arena selections
PLAYER STATS
- Bernard Morris 257-394, 2746 yds, 55 TD, 9 Int; 306 rush yds, 11 TD (15 games)
- Rendrick Taylor 49 rush, 173 yds, 10 TD (9 games)
- Jeron Harvey 146 rec, 1593 yds, 35 TD (18 games)
- Markee White 105 rec, 1133 yds, 19 TD (18 games)
- Jeff Hughley 82 rec, 889 yds, 15 TD; 32 rush yds, 5 TD; 59 kick-ret, 1095 yds, TD (13 games)
- London Crawford 23 rec, 243 yds, 6 TD (5 games)
- Shamar Graves 13 rec, 108 yds, TD (1 game)
- Terrance Smith 74.5 tackles, 4 Fumb Rec, 12 Int, Def TD (16 games)
- Micheaux Robinson 78 tackles, 4 Int, FF, 2 Def TD (17 games)
- Tracy Belton 94.5 tackles, 3 Int, 4 FF, 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD (18 games)
- Jamaal Fudge Sack, 5 FF, 6 Fumb Rec, 2 Int, 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD (10 games)
- Marco Capozzoli 109-128 PAT, 6-12 FG (34) (18 games)
- Sack Leaders: Jerry Turner (12), Aaron Robbins (9), Matt Marcorelle (8.5), Rashaad Duncan (6.5)
TEAM STATS
- Eighth scoring offense at 52.3 ppg
- Best rushing offense with 37.0 ypg
- Fourth scoring defense, allowing 49.1 ppg
- Eighth total offense with 279.1 ypg
- Second pass defense with 239.6 ypg
- Fourth total defense with 263.3 ypg
- Fifth turnover margin with +8
- Second in first downs, 374
- Fourth in 3rd down conversions at 50.8%
- Allowed 2nd-fewest first downs, 334
- Second-lowest opponent 3rd down conversions at 39/102
- Lead AFL with 45 sacks
- Sixth in sacks allowed with 22
- Fourth at 4th down conversions, 23/41
- Sixth red zone offense, 83/101
The Bad from 2013:
- Losing three straight games after a 6-0 start
- Being eliminated by Philadelphia for the second straight season
PLAYER STATS
- The minor injuries that cost Bernard Morris three games and Jeff Hughley four games
- The season-ending injury that Rendrick Taylor suffered in week nine
- Missing Bill Alford for part of the second half of the season because of injury
TEAM STATS
- Tenth rush defense at 23.7 ypg
- Tenth pass offense at 242.1 ypg
Final Take:
In 2013 the Sharks won their fourth consecutive south division championship and made a third straight appearance in the American Conference championship game. Bernard Morris showed flashes of elite playmaking ability, but at times was a little carless with the football and had too many turnovers. Jeron Harvey had another great season to headline a solid receiving core that also included Jeff Hughley and Markee White. Jacksonville's defense was atop the AFL all season, registering a League-best 45 sacks and ending the year with a +8 margin in turnovers. If the core of: Jerry Turner, Aaron Robbins, Matt Marcorelle, and Rashaad Duncan is kept together, they should continue to cause havoc against opposing offenses for the near future.
2013 Finish: 13-7 (7-0 in South), South Division Champions, lost in American Conference Championship game
For more on the Jacksonville Sharks:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/teams/aflsrk/
http://www.jaxsharks.com/
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-arena-football-season-kickoff_23.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-afl-season-frist-quarter-anaylsis_29.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-afl-season-midway-report-south.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/07/afl-turning-into-home-stretch.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-semifinals-recap.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-championship.html
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/stats/2013/CONFSTAT.HTM
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