Already defeating the Florida Falcons once this season 48-22, the Jacksonville Knights challenged them again at Hodges Stadium March 27 looking forward to another win.
But things didn’t turn out as they planned. The Falcons upset the Knights 9-6.
Even with the loss, however, the Knights still outrank the Falcons, according to Jeremy McDonald, founder and executive director of the Jacksonville Knights. They currently sit in the No. 2 seed in the National Football Conference, just behind the undefeated Orlando Rage.
In order to obtain the No. 1 seed, the Knights would need the Rage to lose and give up more than 14 points in its last two games. But with their rankings now, the Knights will get to host the highest seeded team coming out of the wild card round April 17 at Hodges Stadium.
The Falcons’ future doesn’t look as promising as they will need to win out in order to secure a wild card home game. However, they will still make the playoffs as either in the fifth or sixth seed, McDonald said in a press release.
The Knights knew playing the Falcons was going to be a lot tougher the second time around because they had something to prove going into the playoffs, but they were still hoping for a win, said Joey Lopes, a middle line blocker for the Jacksonville Knights.
Playing for a short stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lopes said being a Knight is a lot better and much more rewarding.
“Playing for a minor league football team you would think there would not be as many fans and that the league would be unorganized,” Lopes said. “But that’s not the case, because there are many great supporters out there, and the league is on top of everything.”
Lopes has tallied 88.5 tackles in eight games, with seven and a half sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles, two touchdowns and one field goal block.
But even with all these stats recorded this season, Lopes wants to continue working hard for the Knights in the postseason.
“[Being in the No. 2 seed in the NFC] feels the same as when you step into postseason,” Lopes said. “It makes you play harder and faster because you aren’t in the top position.”
The Jacksonville Knights have one more game before their run in the playoffs against the Duval Panthers, April 3 at 3:30 p.m. at Hodges Stadium. To keep up with the Jacksonville Knights and their road to the Alliance Bowl III visit jacksonvilleknights.org.
