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NAL Carolina Cobras

Cobras-Lions Pre-Game Notes

May 31, 2019 - National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release


Familiar Territory: These two teams just played two weeks ago. A 60-32 Cobra victory. In the meantime the Cobras lost to Orlando 74-69, while the Lions had a bye week.

How They Rank: This is a battle between the #2 Scoring Offense of the Cobras (50.8/game) vs #3 Scoring Defense of the Lions (45.6). On the other side of the ball it is the #4 Scoring Offense of the Lions (45.2) vs the #2 Scoring Defense of the Cobras (36.3).

League Leaders: The Cobras lead the league in the following categories. Touchdowns Scored (41), Points Scored Kicking (47), Total Offense TDs (36), Rushing TDs (10), Passing Yards per Completion (11.4), Field Goal Attempts (10), PAT Attempts (40), PAT Made (28), Kickoff Return Average (21.3), Kickoff Return TDs (1), Interceptions (15), Interception Return Yards (160), Interception TDs (3), Fumble Recoveries (6), Fumble Returns (2), Fumble Return Yards (51), Turnover Margin (+9), 1 st Down by Penalty (30), Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game (37.2), Opponent Penalties Yards Per Game (64.8), Red Zone Offense (88.0%), Red Zone Defense (55.0%). Individually Charles McCullum is #1 in Pass Yards/Completion (12.3), Jordan Jolly is #1 in receptions (45) and #1 in Receiving TDs (13). Nick Belcher is #1 in PAT attempts (40), PAT Made (28), FG Attempts (10). Cedric Poole leads in Kick Returns (10) and Kick Return TDs (1). Mike Green leads Interceptions (5), Interception Return Yards (76), Tackles (33.0) and Passes Defended (27).

Line Injuries: After losing OL Joe Harris for the season and DT Walter Thomas Jr for the immediate future, the Cobras have removed OL Chad Kolumber from League Suspension to bolster the offensive line. They will use Bill Vavau and Brandon Sutton in the middle (who each had 1.5 sacks against Orlando).

Auburn Spotlight: Smarting off the loss from 2 weeks ago, the Lions had an extra week to prepare for this rematch. They also signed former All-SEC Auburn FB Kamryn Pettway to boost their running game.

Defense To The Rescue: In the matchup two weeks ago the Cobras defense caused six turnovers, 4 INTs and 2 Fumble Recoveries and turned that into 4 TDs. They also held the league leader in passing QB Luke Collins to his worse game of the year. He was 17-36-4 for 196 yards and 3TDs a week after he set the NAL record for most passing yards in a game with 345. After an off week against Orlando, you can certainly bet this defense will be back to #1 in the NAL level.

Offense Bouncing Back: After a sluggish 3 weeks the Cobras offense came back to life last week against Orlando. Setting team records for most total yards, most passing yards, and most passing TDs in Cobras history.

Matchup to Watch: The revamped Cobras WR corp vs Lions Secondary In the game 2 weeks ago the main 3 WRs were Jordan Jolly, Zack Ducker and Julius Gregory, fast forward 2 weeks and the likely WRs getting the most action will be Jolly, Ducker, new addition LaVon Pearson and Prince Shanola, who combined for 20 catches for 314 yards and 9 TDs against Orlando.

Last Meeting: Two weeks ago it was Carolina 60-32 over Columbus in Greensboro.

Series History: Counting the Championship game the Cobras hold a 3-2 series lead, including 3 in a row.

Cobra Leaders:

QB 1 Charles McCullum 88-163-8 1,079 yards and 23 TDs passing

WR 4 Jordan Jolly 45 Receptions 509 yards 13 TDs receiving

WR 15 Zack Ducker 30 Receptions 286 Yards 1 TD receiving

DB 17 Michael Green 33 Tackles 6 INTs, 21 Pass Break Ups and 1 TD

JLB 27 Pasquale Vacchio 15.5 Tackles 3 INTs, 2 Fumble Recoveries 2 TDs

Lion Leaders:

QB 13 Luke Collins 100-185-10 1,179 yards and 22 TDs Passing

WR 0 Bones Bagaunte 37 Receptions 313 yards 6 TDs Receiving

WR 5 Paris Mack 30 Receptions 501 yards 6 TDs Receiving

DB 3 DeMario Donnell 17.5 Tackles 3 INTs, 1 Fumble Recovery 1 TD

LB 22 Greg Halls Jr 20.5 Tackles 2 Sacks 4 TFLs 1 Safety

Written by: DJ Wagner



National Arena League Stories from May 31, 2019


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