Carolina Ends Home Drought, 54-43
March 21, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE â Wide receiver/defensive back Jarrick Hillery led a strong defensive and special teams effort as the Carolina Cobras secured a 54-43 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm Sunday afternoon at the Charlotte Coliseum, snapping a 16-game home losing streak. The Cobras forced three turnovers and scored three special teams touchdowns en route to the team's first home victory in front of the fans of Charlotte since the franchise relocated from Raleigh prior to the 2003 season.
Facing a 29-21 halftime deficit, the Cobras scored 24 unanswered points in the third quarter to take an insurmountable 45-29 advantage. Carolina's defense held Tampa Bay to only six total yards in the frame, while the offense capitalized with three consecutive scoring drives and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by ADT Defensive Player of the Game, WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. The Cobras withstood a strong fourth quarter effort by the Storm to earn the win and put a stop to their four-game losing streak.
Hillery was recognized as the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game and Army Ironman of the Game after posting two kickoff returns for a touchdown, catching three passes for 39 yards and a score and adding four tackles and an interception on defense. QB Matt Nagy led the Carolina offense with 159 yards and four touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing. OS Todd Doxzon led the Cobras receivers with eight receptions for 51 yards and his 14th touchdown reception of the season.
Tampa Bay was led by Pat O'Hara, who completed 25-of-43 passes for 249 yards and six touchdowns. He was intercepted twice in the game. Clif Dell led the Storm with six receptions for 115 yards and three scores. Tampa Bay were without leading receivers Freddie Solomon and David Saunders due to injury.
The Cobras began the contest on a good note as Nagy led the club on a lengthy, seven-play scoring drive, capped off by a 12-yard scoring reception by Walker Jr. The good start continued as Carolina was able to hold Tampa Bay to a 20-yard Mike Black field goal to preserve an early 7-3 advantage. Hillery quickly livened up the afternoon, returning the ensuing kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown. The scoring play equaled the longest kickoff return in team history. Following a 31-yard scoring pass from O'Hara to Dell, Carolina held a 14-10 advantage after one quarter. It marked the fifth time in seven games that the Cobras held the lead heading into the second quarter.
The Storm took control in the second quarter, posting two defensive stops and limiting the Cobras to only 45 yards of total offense. Carolina could only muster a seven-yard touchdown reception by Todd Doxzon as O'Hara capitalized on the Cobras offensive difficulties with three scoring passes in the frame, including an 11-yard connection with TT Toliver with only seven seconds remaining in the half. The touchdown reception resulted in a 29-21 lead for Tampa Bay heading into the lockerroom. O'Hara completed 13-of-14 passes for 151 yards in the first half.
Carolina regained momentum in the third quarter, scoring 24 unanswered points and holding the Storm offense to an astonishing six yards of offense in the frame. The Storm's first drive of the half was halted by an interception by Otis Moore, the Cobras first interception in five games. On the next play from scrimmage, Nagy found Hillery for a 25-yard scoring play to cut the Tampa Bay lead to 29-28. Carolina forced O'Hara into seven incompletions in eight attempts on the next two drives for a pair of defensive stops. The Cobras capitalized with a 24-yard Rob Bironas field goal and a 4-yard touchdown reception by Sean Tremblay, the first of his career. Tampa Bay fumbled the final kickoff of the third frame and Walker Jr. recovered in the end zone to give Carolina a 45-29 lead heading into the final quarter.
O'Hara ended the Cobras scoring run early in the final frame with a 22-yard scoring pass to Dell, but Hillery quickly ended any chance of a Storm comeback with a 57-yard kickoff return to give Carolina a 51-35 lead. Hillery sealed the win with an interception on O'Hara's final pass attempt of the day with under a minute remaining in the game.
Carolina will take to the road next week to battle former Cobras head coach Mike Neu and the expansion New Orleans VooDoo. The meeting will be held on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at New Orleans Arena.
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