Molander, Jarrell Spark Piranhas

The Piranhas had little trouble with San Jose, beating the SaberCats, 40-18, in the Arena Football League opener Friday in front of an announced crowd of 14,969 at the San Jose Arena.

Quarterback Scooter Molander led the way, throwing five touchdown passes.

Molander and Adrian Jarrell combined on three consecutive touchdowns passes as the Piranhas opened up the game in the second quarter.

The two connected from 28 yards to put the Piranhas ahead, 15-6, with three minutes left in the first half. Then, with 12 seconds left in the half, Molander found Jarrell for a 19-yard touchdown pass and a 22-6 lead.

The combined for another touchdown from 27 yards with 9:49 left in the third quarter that put the Piranhas up, 28-6.

Molander was 24 of 39 for 262 yards and five touchdowns in the game. Jarrell caught 13 passes for 168 yards. The two were teammates last season when the the franchise was based in Las Vegas.

“If our offense clicks for four quarters,” Molander said, “we will be tough to stop. The fact that myself and Adrian Jarrell played together last year already supplied the chemistry we need on offense.”

The loss left San Jose Coach Todd Shell frustrated.

“It was terrible,” he said. “I don’t even know what to say. This is the worst team that I’ve had on opening night. We didn’t do anything right.”

Ian Howfield opened the scoring by kicking two 50-yard field goals in the first quarter for the Anaheim.