NAL Carolina Cobras

Cobras Shut Out Predators and Clinch Playoff Spot

Published on June 30, 2019 under National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release


ORLANDO, FL - The Cobras were firing on all cylinders posting their first shut out in team history and only the second shutout in NAL History (Columbus vs Dayton 5/20/2017). Beating the Orlando Predators (2-8) 60-0 to not only take their record to 7-3, but also clinched a playoff spot in the NAL.

This game was total domination on both sides of the ball. Charles McCullum set a new team record with 331 yards passing to go along with six TD passes. The Defense caused seven turnovers, including six Interceptions. The Cobras had two receivers over 100 yards (Jolly 122 and Priester with 116). Now to the game.

In the first quarter the Cobras lost the toss, but Orlando deferred to the second half, so the Cobras got the ball first, they turned it over on downs and Orlando got the ball back, but that didn't last long. Tyree Robinson picked off Bryan Hicks at the Cobras two-yard line. The Cobras quickly drove down the field and four plays and 46 yards later finished with Dashawn Johnson rumbling in from one yard out, the PAT was wide right, and it was 6-0 Cobras. The Cobra defense stood up again, this time getting the ball back on downs after four plays and the Cobras struck quick, 2 plays and 22 yards, a 22-yard catch by Jordan Jolly and with the PAT it was 13-0. That ended the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same. On the Predators next possession, it was the General DB Mike Green with an interception in the end zone to end their drive. The Cobras drove down the field but were not able to punch it in for a TD, but it was K Brandon Rutherford for a 30-yard FG that was right down the middle and it was 16-0 Cobras. The next drive led to yet another turnover, this time Sevon Pittman jumped on a bad snap to give the Cobras the ball at the Predators 7. One play later it was Von Pearson in the endzone and with the PAT it was 23-0, but on the next play it was Brandon Rutherford with his first Deuce of the night to make it 25-0. The Predators again turned it over on downs and this time after five plays and 33 yards it was Jordan Jolly with his second TD of the night, from 26 yards out, the PAT was good, and it was 32-0 at the half.

The Cobras were playing the Strike Hard, Strike Fast, No Mercy card in the entire game. On the first play of the second half Hicks threw another Interception this time to Pasquale Vacchio who returned the ball to the Predators 9. Two plays later it was Gregory with the TD catch from seven yards out, the PAT missed right, and it was 38-0 Cobras. The Predators did drive down the field, but the defense stiffened up and got the ball back on downs at the Carolina 5. It only took the Cobras five plays to go 45 yards, but the play of the drive was Von Pearson with a 42-yard TD catch, his second of the night. The PAT was no good, and it was 44-0 Cobras, but Rutherford atoned by hitting his second Deuce of the night to make it 46-0.

The fourth quarter was the Defense striking yet again as Vacchio had his second interception of the game. This time at the Carolina four-yard line. It only took one play, this time 46 yards to Kyrin Priester for the score. The PAT was good, and it was 53-0. Then it turned into a battle to preserve the shut out. On the Predators next drive, it was Tyree Robinsons with his second INT of the night at the Cobras 11 stopping another drive. The Cobras drove 43 yards on four plays, it was Johnson for his second rushing TD of the night from two yards out. The PAT was good again and it was 60-0 Carolina. The Predators made another attempt to drive down the field, but Kenny Veal had other ideas with his interception, the sixth for the Cobras on the night. The Cobras tried to run down the clock and attempted a 37-yard FG with under a minute to go, and it was Orlando ball with about 20 seconds remaining, and they could do absolutely nothing with it.

The Defense was amazing, holding Bryan Hicks and Baylin Truillo to a combined 12-44 passing for 165 yards and six interceptions and holding Orlando to 129 total yards for the game. They also had four sacks in the game including three by Steve Miller. This game was the prefect example of total domination on both sides of the ball. With that your Carolina Cobras ran their record to 7-3, they are up one game over Massachusetts and hold the tie breaker for the #2 seed in the NAL with four games to go.

Next game for the Cobras is Saturday night at the Greensboro Coliseum vs Columbus Lions on Military/First Responders Night. If you serve or served you can get 50% off on tickets right now by calling 336-455-7232.

Written by: DJ Wagner

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