Cobras Defeat Mammoths 56-42 in Portland
April 16, 2018 - National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release
PORTLAND- The Carolina Cobras (1-1) opened their first road game of the season with a victory over the Maine Mammoths (0-2) 56-42. This win gives the Cobras their first ever victory and leaves the Mammoths searching for their first victory. Cobras Quarterback Charles McCullum threw for four touchdowns, rushing for three touchdowns, on what could've been the best performance on the night.
McCullum led the Cobras offense, and was 15-of-29 (51.72%) for 185 yards and four touchdowns. McCullum also had three rushes for five yards and three touchdowns, all of which were goal-line touchdowns.
The Cobras started off the game with a mix of passes and rushes from McCullum. The first touchdown of the game went to McCullum as he rushed for a one-yard touchdown, but Craig Peterson missed the PAT, so the score was quickly 6-0. The Mammoths weren't joking around, as Quarterback Jonathan Bane threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Macon. The PAT was also unsuccessful due to a bad snap, putting the score at 6-6. McCullum and the Cobras struck back in just two plays. A 16-yard touchdown pass to Tyron Laughinghouse as well as a Peterson PAT put the Cobras up 13-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Cobras defense played very well to close the first quarter and to start the second quarter. Mammoths kicker Henry Nell was forced to kick a 17-yard field goal to cut the Cobras lead to 13-9. Another McCullum rushing touchdown helped extend the Cobras lead to 10 points, the score now being 19-9. An interception to give the Cobras the ball back helped McCullum rush for his third and final touchdown of the night, almost making the game a blowout, 25-9. To close the half, Mammoths Wide Receiver Devin Wilson rushed for a two-yard touchdown. Nell's PAT was no good, shortening the Cobras lead 25-15 at the half.
Opening the third quarter, the Mammoths threw an interception to Defensive Back Michael Green, which allowed McCullum to throw a 10-yard touchdown to Phillip Barnett. The PAT would put the score at 32-15. To close the third quarter, Nell missed a field goal, which was returned by Michael Green for 39-yards. That return helped Tyrell Goodman make an 8-yard touchdown catch, ending the third quarter with a 39-15 lead.
From this point on, the Cobras just need to finish strong. They are in the perfect position for a victory. The defense can't break and the offense still has to execute. The very first play of the fourth quarter was not what the Cobras was looking for, as Bane threw a 35-yard bomb to Wide Receiver Edgar Poe Jr., which put the score at 35-22. The Cobras offense started to slow down a little bit as they had a penalty and incomplete passes. Peterson executed perfectly on a field goal, which extended the Cobras lead 38-22. Exchanging touchdowns two times gives the Cobras a safe lead with very little time to go. The Mammoths ended the game with an eight yard pass that didn't result in a touchdown, giving the Cobras their first victory in team history with the final score of 56-42.
The Carolina Cobras host the Massachusetts Pirates (2-0) on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Greensboro Coliseum for Country Night at 7:00 pm.
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- Cobras Defeat Mammoths 56-42 in Portland - Carolina Cobras
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