Orlando’s defense started the game off strong, forcing a turnover on downs after just five plays. The offense would respond in just eight plays, with quarterback Paxton DeLaurent scrambling into the end zone on a four-yard run, giving the Pirates an early 7-0 lead. The Pirates defense continued to stifle the Sharks offense, with defensive lineman Mike Mason recording a sack on Jacksonville QB Sammy Edwards, while Devonte O’Malley also added a pair of sacks. Kicker Ben Derby’s 46-yard field goal attempt missed, and running back Pooka Williams ran it back for a 34-yard gain. Four plays later, it was Williams who punched it in from just a yard away, and Orlando held a 14-0 lead entering the second quarter.
Desperate to get back in the game, Edwards connected with receiver Marcus Rogers on a 14-yard touchdown pass, capping a four-play, 31-yard scoring drive to reduce the deficit to 14-7. On the ensuing series, Orlando’s offense stalled, and kicker Josh Gable drilled an 18-yard FG to take a 17-7 lead. Former Pirates RB Jimmie Robinson Jr. tallied 10 rushing yards on Jacksonville’s next possession, but the drive flatlined after Edwards was sacked by O’Malley for the third time. O’Malley continued to be a defensive menace, blocking Derby’s FG attempt, returning the ball to Orlando’s humming offense.
DeLaurent responded with three straight passes, with the latter finding Teo Redding for an eight-yard TD, and the Pirates extended the lead to 24-7. Orlando’s defense couldn’t be stopped, forcing an incompletion before defensive back Leon O’Neal hauled in an interception. DeLaurent would fire three completions in a row, connecting with Redding and Nyqwan Murray, before Gable converted a 27-yard field goal as time expired, ending the first half leading 27-7…