Cobras Sweep Steelhawks 79-28
July 28, 2018 - National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release
ALLENTOWN - The Carolina Cobras (9-5) have swept the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (0-14) this season after defeating them 79-28 in the Steelhawks' home closer. Every side of the ball clicked for the Cobras, whether it was kicker Craig Peterson hitting deuces, quarterback Charles McCullum and his receivers making plays, or the defense stepping up and scoring themselves. Down the whole game, the Steelhawks scored 16 points straight and found themselves down by only ten in the third quarter, only to be crushed in the remainder of the game, with the Cobras scoring 41 points straight. The Cobras are now 4-0 against the Steelhawks. An unusually slow start for the Cobras, they barely kept their first drive alive, thanks to head coach Billy Back winning a challenge that extended the Cobras drive on fourth down. McCullum was able to finish the drive for the Cobras a few plays later, threading the needle between two defenders to Phillip Barnett for the first score of the game. Peterson extended their lead to 9 on the following kickoff after hitting a deuce. Lehigh Valley responded with a score of their own, a 45-yard field goal by Spencer Hotaling. Carolina's next touchdown was a beauty, a 22-yard one-handed catch by Jordan Jolly, followed again by a Hotaling field goal, this one from 41-yards out. The Cobras were on the move again, but were stopped after Dante Holmes forced the ball out of the arms of Jolly, giving the ball back to the Steelhawks, allowing them an opportunity to cut their 10-point deficit. Lehigh Valley capitalized off of their fumble recovery after Matt Tuleja muscled his way into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown. Carolina heated up for the rest of the quarter, with touchdowns by Fabian Guerra, Jugg Russell, a "pick-six" by newly acquired defender Pasquale Vacchio, and a deuce from Peterson. The Cobras were about to cash in for another score at the end of the quarter but were halted after Steelhawks' defensive back Savion Brown intercepted McCullum in the endzone. With under a minute to go in the half, the Steelhawks made their way to the endzone after Caleb Walton sent a 37-yard bomb to Charles McClain. The half ended soon after Hotaling hit a deuce to give the Steelhawks momentum going into the locker room down 38-21. Lehigh Valley continued their good streak after Walton rushed for a two-yard touchdown, set up by a big reception from Boggan. The game was shaping up for Lehigh Valley, but all hopes were dashed the remainder of the game. Two more touchdown receptions from Barnett and a deuce from Peterson brought the Cobras up 53-28. They continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter, with touchdowns from Russell, Fabian Guerra, Tyrell Goodman, and a defensive scoop-and-score from Anthony Ellis. The Cobras walked out of Lehigh Valley victorious, winning by 51 with the score 79-28.
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National Arena League Stories from July 28, 2018
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- Cobras Sweep Steelhawks 79-28 - Carolina Cobras
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