Pollard Sets Sack Record Despite Lynx Playoff Exit


September 5, 2011

South Jersey Lynx Media Group


VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – Football is the ultimate team game and in order to win games, the team must perform well. Consequently, despite how the well or bad a team performs, some outstanding individual achievements deserve plenty of accolades. Third year veteran DE James Pollard Jr.’s 9 sack performance deserves plenty of praise. Despite the superior play of Pollard, the South Jersey Lynx (6-4) could not overcome the 10-point deficit at the hands of the Hampton Roads Hurricanes (10-1).

The Lynx won the battle within by dominating the ‘Canes throughout the game. Offensively, South Jersey was plagued all year struggling to put points on the board and sooner or later, that would be the ending fate of the season. The defense played very well and was one or two big plays away from keeping the ‘Canes off of the board themselves.

The 'Canes have avenged a playoff loss from back in 2009 when the Lynx defeated them at home by scoring a late touchdown to give them a 14-7 win. Their satisfaction will be exaggerated with this 10-0 win because of their self proclaimed, "We da best" attitude but this is actually the first time the 'Canes have defeated the Lynx in four attempts. Last year in the season opener, the Lynx played to a 0-0 tie with the Hurricanes, the only other game the Lynx didn't defeat Hampton Roads.

Officiating is a major part of the game and playing on the road does not help either but some questionable no calls during those big plays changes the outcome considerably. All in all, it’s a part of the game so the players can’t hold their heads down because of it.

Pollard gave the ‘Canes fits because they could not stop him from coming off the edge no matter how many blockers was assigned to him. His 9 sacks not only shattered his own top 3 sack performances in a game, he also topped the charts with 26 sacks in a season surpassing his own season high of 17.5. Remarkably, Pollard has amassed 59.5 career sacks in just 3 years with the Lynx and is well on his way to owning an unbreakable all-time record in the Lynx record book.

The Lynx have made the playoffs in all 9 seasons but the last two consecutive years, they have been ousted from the playoffs in the first round. Head Coach Lester Cream Jr. is well aware of the setbacks of the past few years and wants to recruit heavily to get the Lynx back to performing like they have in the past.