The wins keep coming for the Pittsburgh Power.
The Pittsburgh Power (12-3) won their ninth straight game with a 64-48 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks (5-9) Saturday night in Jacksonville. Pittsburgh now owns the longest current winning streak in the AFL after the Arizona Rattlers lost earlier this weekend to the San Jose SaberCats. This win also marked the first time in franchise history the Power were able to beat the Sharks.
The night didn’t start well for Pittsburgh as wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez lost a fumble on the first play of the game. Jacksonville’s fullback Jared McGriff-Culver rumbled 19 yards on the first play of the drive to score and give Jacksonville a 7-0 lead.
Pittsburgh’s offense settled down and would not be stopped the rest of the game. Two early touchdown catches by Shaun Kauleinamoku helped the Power weather the early storm on the road and Prechae Rodriguez stepped up big after his turnover to keep the offense running smoothly with 10 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns to be named the player of the game on the CBS Sports Network broadcast. Hank Edwards also played a stellar game with six receptions for 115 yards and four touchdowns.
Power quarterback Tommy Grady tied the franchise record of nine touchdown passes in this one and was very efficient completing 24 of 37 passes for 353 yards and had no interceptions on the night.
Pittsburgh’s defense helped tell the story like it has all year by adding to their league-leading 30 interceptions with two more in this game, one each by Al Phillips and Latarrius Thomas. Thomas was making his first appearance since suffering an injury in week three against San Jose. A safety on Jacksonville’s second drive, the Power’s league-leading fifth of the season, helped gain the lost possession back for the Power offense. Pittsburgh also stripped the ball from McGriff-Culver and recovered a fumble during a second quarter drive with the Power leading 23-14 and the Power pass rush was harassing R.J. Archer all night long.
Pittsburgh remains behind Cleveland in the chase for the Eastern division title and is running out of games on the schedule to make up ground. Pittsburgh will go for their tenth win in a row when they travel to take on the New Orleans VooDoo (2-12) on Monday July 7th.
Photo Courtesy Jacksonville Sharks Facebook Page
