April 16, 2008

Corpus Christi Sharks Vice President and General Manager Larry Linde announced today that the team has received a pair of very special accolades.

Ivory McCann 5’9”, 174lbs, out of Texas Tech won the Ironman of the Week Award for the af2 for his performance Saturday night against Rio Grand Valley. McCann had a kickoff return of 57 yards for a touchdown, a missed field goal return of 57 yards for a touchdown, a 28 yard touchdown reception, and an interception that not only killed a Dorado drive and kept the game tied, it also set up the game winning drive for the Sharks. For an encore, McCann batted down a 4th down desperation pass to the end zone that sealed the win for the Sharks 61-54. McCann has had at least on kick return for a touchdown in all three games this season. Saturday night’s effort certainly outshined all the other entries for the Ironman Award in the af2. “I just want to contribute in any way I can on offense, defense, special teams, whatever”, said McCann. “The awards are great but winning and getting to the playoffs is my only focus right now”.

Additionally, the weekly af2 Coaches Poll was released toady and the Sharks are ranked for the first time in franchise history. The Sharks enter the poll at #11. “I think the win over Rio opened some eyes around the league and people are starting to realize that this is not the same Sharks team from last season”, said Head Coach Mike Trigg. “It’s nice to be recognized but we need to back it up with our play on the field”, he added.

The Sharks will get that chance on Saturday night at the American Bank Center against the Arkansas Twisters. The Twisters manhandled the Sharks last season in Little Rock. However the motivation to avenge that loss coupled with Sharks QB Brian Villanueva going against his former team should provide the team a tremendous amount of incentive to pull out a win. “They’re a real good team despite their 0-2 start”, said Trigg. “They’ll be a handful”.