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Barnstormers Bitten by Sharks, 68-48
Iowa Unable to Take First-Ever Victory from Jacksonville

Des Moines, IA –The Iowa Barnstormers fell in the fourth to the Jacksonville Sharks in front of 7,276 fans at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Iowa Barnstormers struggled to bring the heat in the first quarter of the matchup. After an early score by the Sharks, Iowa fired back with a touchdown by wide receiver Marco Thomas. However, the Sharks were able to widen the gap with another touchdown, this time by wide receiver London Crawford, followed by an Xavier Brewer net recovery, bringing the score to 20-7, Jacksonville. Moments later, the Sharks took advantage of an Iowa fumble with a touchdown pass to Jeron Harvey. To finish the quarter Carson Coffman connected with M. Thomas on a 21-yard pass. Barnstormers 14, Sharks 27.

In the second, Jacksonville’s Jomo Wilson was quick to increase the gap. The Barnstormers started to regain momentum with a rushing touchdown by fullback Derik Steiner, followed by a quick-fire pass to Anthony Parker. After another Sharks touchdown, Darius Reynolds ran away with the second quarter, making the half time score 40-34, Jacksonville.

Iowa came out hot in the third quarter with Steiner scoring on Iowa’s first possession of the half. This brought Iowa their first lead of the night. Sharks returned the favor with their own 20-yard touchdown pass. Coffman connected a huge 48-yard pass with Thomas making the score 46-48. The back-and-forth continued with a final third quarter touchdown by the Sharks, 53-48.

A downhill spiral for the Barnstormers, the fourth quarter started with a 48-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Shark defensive back Terrance Smith. On the next drive, Iowa QB Brian Reader’s pass was grabbed by the opposing team, giving the ball back to Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sharks were able to seal the game with a 68-48 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers.

Marking Jacksonville’s first trip to Wells Fargo Arena, R.J. Archer completed 20-of-38 passes for 301 yards and eight touchdowns. Iowa’s leading quarterback Coffman threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns while giving up one interception.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Iowa WR Marco Thomas
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Iowa DB Devon Dace
J. Lewis Smll Playmaker of the Game: Jacksonville DB Terrance Smith
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Iowa WR Darius Reynolds’ diving catch on fourth-and-long (Fourth Quarter)
AFL Highlight of the Game: Iowa WR Marco Thomas’ 48-yard touchdown catch (Third Quarter)

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