It was a good start but not a good ending for the expansion team from Portland Saturday night in Florida. The Maine Mammoths were outscored 32-3 in the second half, as the Jacksonville Sharks scored a 46-25 National Arena League win at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
Maine (1-5) held a 12-0 lead after one quarter and 22-14 at halftime before the home Sharks responded in a big way in the second half. Maine quarterback Jonathan Bane connected for three first half touchdown passes, two to Devin Wilson and one to Edgar Allan Poe Jr. Jacksonville (4-3) got their two scores in first half on a Adrian McPherson TD pass to Chris Gilchrist, and a TD run by Marvin Ross.
The second half belonged to the hosts, as the Sharks outscored the visitors 19-0 in the third and 13-3 in final 15 minutes. McPherson hit Gilchrist for another score in the third, and Brandon Roe picked up a Bane fumble and returned it for a touchdown. After Henry Nell kicked a field goal for Maine to cut the deficit to eight early in fourth, McPherson connected for another TD pass, and Ross rushed for his second score of the night.
Bane finished 23-41 passing, 163 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Wilson had the two scores and finished with five catches for 63 yards. Poe ended with 11 receptions for 61 yards and a score. On defense Keiron Jones led the way with four tackles and a fumble recovery.
Maine has a week off before playing host to the Massachusetts Pirates on June 2 at 7:30 pm. Maine has lost to the Pirates twice this season, but both on the road by scores of 51-24 in week 1, and then a heartbreaking 44-43 overtime loss last week.
MAI (1-5) 12 10 0 3- 25
JAC (4-3) 0 14 19 13- 46
