JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The new era — along with plenty of familiar faces — begins on Saturday night for the Jacksonville Sharks.
Jacksonville coach Jason Gibson will get his first glimpse of his team when the Sharks visit West Texas at 8:30 p.m. Gibson’s hire was the team’s biggest move of the offseason. They lured him away from the Columbus Lions and gave Gibson both head coach and general manager duties.
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Gibson’s success in Columbus included three championships between the Southern Indoor Football League and Professional Indoor Football League and two other title game appearances. The Sharks beat Gibson’s Lions 27-21 in the inaugural National Arena League championship in 2017.
The Sharks are looking to bounce back from a 7-8 finish last year. They made the playoffs but lost to two-time defending NAL champ Albany. That led to the Sharks parting ways with Siaha Burley after just a season and turning to Gibson. They were 2-6 in 2021 and the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
From a local standpoint, the Sharks have a solid number of players who area fans will remember.
Running back Anthony Johnson (Camden County), Kicker Daniel Justino (Middleburg), receiver/defensive back Harrison Poole (Camden County), defensive back Marvin Ross (Trinity Christian), receiver Kamrin Solomon (Mandarin) and receiver/defensive back Jenson Stoshak (University Christian) are on the Sharks’ roster.
Sharks 2023 schedule
Date, Opponent, Time; home games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
April 8, at West Texas, 8:30 p.m.
April 15, vs. San Antonio, 7 p.m.
April 23, at Fayetteville, 3 p.m.
April 30, vs. Orlando, 4 p.m.
May 20, vs. Albany, 7 p.m.
May 28, at San Antonio, 4 p.m.
June 3, at West Texas, 8:30 p.m.
June 10, vs. Fayetteville, 7 p.m.
June 16, at Albany, 7 p.m.
June 26, vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 8, at Orlando, 7 p.m.
July 15, vs. Albany, 7 p.m.
July 22, vs. West Texas, 7 p.m.
July 29, at Carolina, 7 p.m.