By LEE SCHEIDE, ODESSA AMERICAN
ODESSA, TX. (Speciat to SportsDay) – Things started off slowly for the Jacksonville Sharks in their season opener on the road.
Once rookie quarterback Conor Blount got his feet underneath him, however, it was foot on the gas the rest of the night.
After a scoreless first quarter, Blount guided the visiting Sharks on seven scoring drives en route to a 53-26 victory against the West Texas Warbirds on Saturday at the Ector County Coliseum.
Blount finished the night 21-of-41 passing for 235 yards and seven touchdowns, with a pair of first-half interceptions the only blemishes on the night.
Wide receiver Kamrin Solomon was the top target, catching 11 passes for 140 yards and four scores.
The Jacksonville defense also was active, intercepting Warbirds quarterback Daniel Smith four times, along with forcing a second-quarter fumble, along with a safety.
Smith was 12 for 27 for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
Blount put the Sharks on the scoreboard at the midway point of the second quarter, connecting with wide receiver Jenson Stoshak on a 31-yard touchdown with 7:30 remaining in the first half.
After a Warbirds’ penalty on the extra point Jacksonville was successful on a two-point conversion for the 8-0 lead.
It was 10-0 moments later when kicker Daniel Justino split the uprights on the ensuing kickoff for a Deuce.
The Warbirds answered with a 30-yard touchdown from Smith to wide receiver Lagrant Pegram Jr. with 2:50 remaining the first half to cut the Jacksonville lead to three.
Moments later it was back up to five when the Sharks’ defensive pressure forced a West Texas penalty in the end zone for a safety.
Blount got the ball back with 12 seconds remaining in the first half and, after an incomplete pass on first down, connected with wide receiver Jordus Smith on a 37-yard touchdown on the final play off the first half.
Jacksonville led, 19-7, at the break and never looked back.
Photo by LEE SCHEIDE|ODESSA AMERICAN.
