Cobras Fall Prey to Predators, 59-43
Published on February 28, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â The Carolina Cobras fell prey to quarterback Joe Hamilton and the Orlando Predators, 59-43, in front of 7,343 at the Charlotte Coliseum. Hamilton accounted for eight touchdowns on the night as the Predators handed Carolina its 15th consecutive home defeat.
For the second consecutive week, the Cobras offense faltered in the second half and was unable to maintain an early lead. The Cobras entered the second half with a slim 24-21 advantage, but were undone by a strong Predators defense and the young legs of Hamilton as Orlando outscored Carolina 38-19 in the final two quarters. The Cobras briefly crept within six points early in the fourth quarter after a touchdown reception by Damien Groce cut the Predators lead to 37-31, however, Orlando quickly responded with two scoring drives to put the game out of reach at 52-31 midway through the final frame.
Hamilton earned Offensive Player of the Game honors as he completed 19-of-29 passes for 187 yards and six touchdowns. The former Georgia Tech standout added two rushing scores. Gastonia-native and former Cobras offensive specialist James Bowden earned Army Ironman of the Game recognition after reeling in six passes for 60 yards and three touchdowns.
Matt Nagy led the Cobras offense, completing 26-of-35 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns, including three scoring passes to OS Todd Doxzon. Doxzon tied a career high with 10 receptions for 91 yards, while Damien Groce recorded five catches for 72 yards and two TDs.
The Cobras jumped out to an early 7-0 lead for the third time in four games this season as Nagy led the club on a five-play scoring drive capped off with a 22-yard scoring pass to Groce on the game's opening possession. Orlando quickly responded as Hamilton completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Gastonia-native James Bowden to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first frame. Rob Bironas connected on his fifth field goal of the season, a 36-yard strike, to give Carolina a 10-7 advantage after the first quarter.
Carolina's defense recorded the first defensive stop of the night on the first drive of the second quarter as the team forced Hamilton into four straight incompletions. The Cobras offense quickly capitalized as Nagy directed the Cobras to a 10-point advantage with a 2-yard scoring pass to Todd Doxzon. With less than a minute remaining, Orlando's Connell Maynor picked up a fumbled snap on a field goal attempt and scampered seven yards for a first down. Hamilton completed his third TD pass of the half on the very next play and the Predators cut the lead to 24-21 heading into the lockerroom.
Carolina was outscored by Orlando 16-0 in the third quarter as the Predators ran off 23 consecutive pints to take a 37-24 lead. Hamilton capped off the first drive of the second half with a four-yard scoring run to give the Predators the club's first lead of the game, 28-24. On the first play of the Cobras ensuing possession, Jermaine Smith sacked Nagy in the endzone for a safety. Orlando responded once again behind first-year starter Hamilton, who posted his fourth scoring pass of the game to take a 13-point lead heading into fourth quarter.
Carolina will hit the road next week as the club squares off with the expansion Austin Wranglers at the Frank Irwin Center on Sunday, March 7. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 28, 2004
- Cobras Fall Prey to Predators, 59-43 - Carolina Cobras
- DeBerg names McPherson starter versus Rush - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
