PORTLAND, Maine- The defending National Arena League champion Jacksonville Sharks made a trip into the Cross Insurance Arena Saturday night to play the Maine Mammoths. The Sharks built a 26-3 halftime lead, and went on to defeat the Mammoths 48-31 before 4,132 fans in Portland.
Sharks quarterback Antonio Vaughan threw for three touchdown passes, and ran for another as Jacksonville improved to 2-3. Derrick Ross also ran for a pair of short touchdowns. Robert Brown, Jr., Jeron Harvey, and Chris Gilchrist caught the touchdown passes from Vaughan. Nick Belcher added a late field goal.
The Mammoths (1-3) were led by quarterback Jonathan Bane who threw for three touchdowns, but also a pair of interceptions. Damond Smith added a five yard touchdown run. Devin Wilson caught two of Banes TD passes, while Edgar Allan Poe Jr. caught the other. Henry Nell added a second quarter field goal. Maine scored 28 second half points after a tough Jacksonille defense held them to just three over the first two quarters.
Maine will head on the road to face the Massacussetts Pirates next Saturday. The Pirates defeated the Mammoths 51-24 in the season opener back on April 7.
JAC 0 26 6 16- 48
MAI 0 3 14 14- 31
