For the first time in franchise history, the Tulsa Oilers Indoor Football League team is headed to the IFL playoffs.  The Oilers clinched an Eastern Conference playoff berth by defeating the Jacksonville Sharks, 47-38, Saturday night at the BOK Center.

Jacksonville took an early lead when quarterback Tyler Huff carried the ball 19-yards into the end zone on the Sharks’ opening drive of the game.

Tulsa answered with a few quick passes up the field, culminating with a five-yard touchdown pass from Sam Castronova to Isiah Scott to tie the game, 7-7, midway through the first quarter.

Jacksonville began the second quarter by driving up the field and had a fourth and goal situation before Huff recovered his own fumble and the Oilers took over on downs.

The duo of Castronova and Scott connected again on a six-yard pass play into the end zone and the Oilers took a 14-7 lead with 9:30 left in the second quarter.

Jacksonville’s Demontre Tuggle returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the Oilers 15-yard line, setting up a quick two-play drive for the Sharks. Following a Tulsa penalty and a 6-yard play, Huff dove into the endzone from one-yard out and with the extra point, the Sharks tied the game, 14-14.

On the kickoff, Jacksonville’s Dylan Barnas kicked the ball through the Oilers’ uprights for a deuce, putting Jacksonville ahead 16-14.

The next Tulsa drive ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Castronova to Jerminic Smith for a third passing touchdown of the half. Jonah Edwards nailed his third PAT of the night, giving Tulsa the lead at 21-16.

The Sharks’ Larry McCammon carried the ball six yards into the end zone to put his team ahead, but a fumbled snap turned into a blocked PAT attempt by Dylan Barnas. The kick was blocked by Tulsa’s Rashaun Williams, and Jacksonville had a slim 22-21 lead.

On the Oilers next drive, Castronova led his squad down the field for a JuJu Augustine touchdown, a fourth Edwards conversion, and a 28-22 lead with six seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Barnas launched a surprise onside kick to start the opening half, Jacksonville didn’t recover the ball but enforced its banked penalty to place the Oilers are their own 22-yard line.

Juwan Johnson and Castronova combined on several plays, moving the Oilers into Sharks territory.  A deadlock of penalties and goal line stand eventually ended with Castronova flinging his fifth touchdown of the game, his second connection with Smith. Edwards PAT attempt hit the upright bring the Oilers lead to 34-22.

Tulsa’s defense stopped the Sharks on their next drive.

Then, Augustine picked up Tulsa’s first rushing touchdown of the game, scampering untouched into the end zone to extend Tulsa’s lead to 40-22.

The Sharks answered to open the fourth quarter as Huff connected with Ka’ron Ashley on fourth-and-goal to cut the Tulsa lead to 40-28. Despite missing the PAT Barnas nailed his second deuce of the game, bringing the Sharks to within 10 points, 40-30.

Johnson and Castronova combined again on a two-yard scoring strike for a 47-30 lead with 9:37 remaining in the game.

Huff spun a touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal for the second consecutive drive, hitting Marcus Rogers in the numbers and picking up a controversial two-point conversion to cut the Oilers’ lead to 47-38 with 5:15 remaining. Barnas launched his third deuce attempt on the kickoff, ending his perfect night on the play to put the Oilers at the 20-yard line.

A series of penalties by both teams found the Oilers at their own 22-yard line before Castronova ripped off a 17-yard dash on third down, setting up a fourth-down conversion pass to Max Novak and keeping the Oilers’ drive alive. Tulsa ran the ball two more times to close out the game.

Tulsa is now tied with Jacksonville for third place in the Eastern Conference with identical 9-6 records, and both teams are assured of a playoff spot with one regular-season game remaining. Tulsa will be on the road this Saturday to play the Quad City Steamwheelers in Moline, Illinois.