Arena League Playoffs – American Conference Finals
Kickoff: Monday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Jacksonville -8.5, Total: 115

Division rivals Georgia and Jacksonville meet Monday night for the American Conference Championship and a berth in Arena Bowl XXIV. The Force were up-and-down all year and finished with a middling 11-7 record. However, since losing to Jacksonville by a touchdown on May 21, they have won seven of nine games, including last week’s 50-41 road playoff victory in Cleveland. After winning 13 games in a row from March 18 to June 25, Jacksonville then dropped three straight before ending the season on high note, a 75-56 victory over Spokane. That win helped the Sharks regain their confidence to dispose of rival Orlando (63-48) in round one of the playoffs last week.

Georgia has been pretty strong in road games this year, going 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS. But the Force are just 9-10 ATS overall, which includes a 4-4 ATS mark against teams in their division. Georgia was unable to put together long win streaks, going 0-4 (SU and ATS) after winning two or more consecutive games during the regular season. Jacksonville, on the other hand, is 8-4 ATS (11-SU) on the heels of a win streak. The Sharks have been outstanding against conference opponents (13-0 SU, 10-3 ATS) and equally impressive in home games (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS). All these factors point to JACKSONVILLE winning on Monday by at least double-digits.

The FoxSheets provide a four-star reason to take the Sharks.

JACKSONVILLE is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) after a win by 14 or more points this season. The average score was JACKSONVILLE 64.8, OPPONENT 45.1 - (Rating = 4*).

Georgia QB Darnell Kennedy played well in spots last week, only connecting on 18-of-35 passes, but finishing with 202 yards and four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). His three scores through the air went to his biggest playmakers, Maurice Purify (7 rec, 91 yds, 2 TD) and Larry Shipp (8 rec, 82 yds, 1 TD). Purify now has 136 catches and 48 TD grabs this year, including 24 catches for 272 yards and eight touchdowns in two meetings with the Sharks. Shipp needs just 134 more receiving yards to reach 2,000 on the season. Georgia ranks seventh in the AFL in scoring defense (51.2 PPG), but allowed 66.5 PPG in the two losses to Jacksonville this year. The Force will need their two talented DBs, Tracy Belton and Ahmad Hawkins, to make some big plays as they have done all season, combining for 18 interceptions.

The Sharks win last week was sweet payback since Orlando knocked top-seeded Jacksonville out of the playoffs last year. QB Aaron Garcia had his usual great game, completing 15-of-19 passes for 148 yards and four touchdowns. Jeron Harvey caught three of those scores, while Jomo Wilson caught the other TD and led his team with seven catches and 72 receiving yards. Garcia has been the biggest reason the Sharks lead the league in scoring (64.3 PPG), as he finished the regular season with 116 touchdowns and a 71.5% completion rate. The defense hasn’t always been great, but Jacksonville ranks sixth in scoring defense (50.4 PPG) and has forced at least two turnovers in 14 consecutive games. Micheaux Robinson has been a big part of that with 12 INT this year. The Sharks also rushed the passer well, with Derrick Summers recording 11 of the team’s 36 regular-season sacks (second in AFL).