Cobras Rob Bandits of Undefeated Streak 54-22
April 28, 2024 - National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - The Carolina Cobras hosted their fifth home game of the 2024 NAL season with their visitor this week the undefeated Sioux City Bandits. Today was the first time both teams faced each for the first time in league history. Wizards & Students filled the Snake Pit for Wizarding Day as both teams were ready for a magical match that had big effects on the NAL standings.
The Bandits won the toss and took advantage scoring the first touchdown of the game. Up 6-0, the Bandits defense could not hold the lead as Cobras quarterback Guy Myers struck quickly with a touchdown bomb to receiver Adam Smith for the score. Smith who returns to the Snake Pit after an injury but appears to be back to full strength with the Cobras first score. Cobras up 7-6 with a Kevin Didio-Weber PAT. Sioux City struggled on the second drive, stuck on 3rd & 15 thanks to a big sack by Carolina's local linebacker Gibson Ziah (Guilford College) forcing a flawed field goal attempt that was a fumble snap, the kicker attempted a pass but it was intercepted by none other than Greensboro's Gibson Ziah.
The Sioux City Bandits were next to score with a quarterback keeper to take the lead 12-7. Despite a stout defense the Cobras found a way to add more points with a short dump pass to receiver James Summers who broke out to score. The sound kicking game for the Cobras stayed strong 2/2 on PATs compared to the Bandits 0/2, Carolina advanced 14-12 with six minutes left in the quarter. The celebration was short lived as the Bandits drove down the field for a passing touchdown to give the bandits six points, their extra point struggles continued as they failed a two-point conversion to put the score at 18-14 at halftime.
Going into the second half the Bandits first drive led to a successful push down the field using their running game and sure enough scored a rushing touchdown without throwing the ball once. Abandoning their kicking team for PATs they went for a two-point conversion and failed again going 0/4 on PAT attempts. Down 24-21 the Carolina Cobras needed to strike back quick and did with another touchdown bomb from Guy Myers but this time to receiver Donovan Rasberry putting the Carolina Cobras up 28-24. After another great stop by the Carolina defense the Cobras scored using their run game with receiver James Summers who punched in his second touchdown of the night.
Into the final quarter the Cobras were up 35-24, Sioux City started with possession but lost the ball quickly as Carolina gained their second interception of the night with a batted ball by defensive back Joe Powell into the hands of defensive back Javon Hayes who returned the interception for 25-yards. The Cobras offense with good field position capitalized with a fake hand off, quarterback keeper for a Guy Myers rushing touchdown stunning the undefeated Sioux City Bandits as the game began to run away in the Cobras favor 41-24. Cobras defense successfully stopped the Bandits on a four and out. Carolina turned to veteran James Summers again who scored his third touchdown of the night and second receiving touchdown. Following kickoff the Cobras defense got some scoring action as a forced fumble by defensive lineman Zemar Anderson turned into a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Gibson Ziah. With less than three minutes left the Cobras enjoyed a comfortable 55-24. On the Bandits final attempt to score they came up short as the Cobras defense played lights out the whole second half.
Final Score 55-24, the Carolina Cobras advance to 4-2 and deliver the Sioux City Bandits their first loss at 3-1. Overall, it was a huge night for our local Carolina Cobras players receiver James Summers (Page, ECU) had three touchdowns tonight, two receiving, and one rushing. Gibson Ziah (Guilford College) had a trifecta performance, a sack, an interception, and a recovery for a score. Next week the Carolina Cobras enjoy a bye week before they hit the road to face the Oklahoma Flying Aces.
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- Cobras Rob Bandits of Undefeated Streak 54-22 - Carolina Cobras
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