Cobras vs Lions: Pre-Game Notes
July 26, 2019 - National Arena League (NAL)
Carolina Cobras News Release
Carolina Cobras (10-3, 2nd in NAL) vs. Columbus Lions (5-8, 4th in NAL)
Columbus Civic Center - Columbus GA
Saturday 7:00PM EDT
PREGAME NOTES
Three Weeks Ago: These two teams last played on July 6 with Carolina coming off a shutout, and beating Columbus 70-28 on Military/First Responder night at the Greensboro Coliseum. It was a game with Charles McCullum going 13-17 209 yards and 7 TDs passing and 1 TD rushing. Jordan Jolly with five receptions for 95 yards and three TDs and Steve Miller leading the defense with 2 sacks, 3.5 TFLs, 5.5 tackles and a 30-yard fumble recovery for a TD.
Shutouts-R-Us: The Cobras have now shut out their opponents in 12 of the last 14 quarters. Columbus only scored in two of the four quarters in the game three weeks ago. It has led the defense to take over as the #1 Scoring Defense for now the third week.
Playoffs: All four seeds are set, 1. Jacksonville, 2. Carolina, 3. Massachusetts and 4. Columbus. that means that Carolina will be hosting Massachusetts on Aug 3rd at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tickets are either $10 or $20 for ALL Seats other than Snake Pit Section (first two rows on the sidelines). Yes, you read that right, just $10 or $20 for ALL Seats other than the Snake Pit Section!! Hurry and get them, because they are going fast!
How They Rank: This is a battle between the #2 Scoring Offense of the Cobras (52.8/game) vs #4 Scoring Defense of the Lions (49.2). On the other side of the ball it is the #4 Scoring Offense of the Lions (46.2) vs the new #1 Scoring Defense of the Cobras (30.0).
League Leaders: The Cobras lead the league in the following categories. Scoring Defense (30.0), Total Defense (185.4), Total Offense Yards Per Play (6.5), Pass Defense Efficiency (94.9), Passing Defense (168.3), Passing Yards Per Completion (12.4), Passing Yards Per Attempt (7.4), Field Goal Attempts (16), Interception TDs (3), Fumble Return TDs (4), Fumbles Recovered (13), Turnover Margin (+18), First Down By Penalty (44), Opponent Penalties Yards Per Game (58.2), Red Zone Offense (84.3%), Red Zone Defense (62.2%). Individually Charles McCullum is #1 in Total Offense Avg/Play (7.6), Total Offensive Yards (2,894), Total Offensive TDs (69), Yards Per Rush (4.7), Passing Yards/Attempt (7.8), Passing Yards (2,767), Passing TDs (61). Jordan Jolly is #1 in Receiving Yards Per Game (89.5), Reception Yards (1,163) which is a NEW NAL Record! Cedric Poole is #1 in Kick Return TDs. Mike Green leads Passes Defended (41).
Final Regular Season Road Trip: The Cobras, which are 5-1 on the road this year make the last trip of the regular season to Columbus, where they have already won once this year, a 52- 43 shootout back on June 1st.
Back in the Groove: After a loss to Jacksonville five weeks ago, and a bye week, the Cobras have won their last four games by a combined 248-28 score. They are allowing only 7 point per game over the last four games, simply unheard of in the arena game, and actually pretty unheard of in any variety of this game.
Turnover Battle: Carolina comes into this game with a +18 turnover ratio which is #1 in the NAL. The Lions on the other hand come in with a -5 turnover ratio. Turnovers can be critical, especially on the road, so the Cobras are going to have to continue to be ball hawks and protect the ball themselves.
Matchup to Watch: Cobras vs Cobras With everything settled as far as playoff spots go, this is the final chance to tune things up for them. You certainly want to go in with all the momentum possible and right now it seems like the Cobras are firing on all cylinders and need to keep that up through this game before facing Massachusetts next week.
Last Meeting: July 6, the Cobras dominated the Lions 70-28, and beat them up pretty bad on both sides of the ball.
Series History: Carolina leads the series 5-2 including the post season and have won five games in a row versus the Lions.
Cobra Leaders:
QB 1 Charles McCullum 212-355-14 2,767 yards and 51 TDs passing
WR 4 Jordan Jolly 94 Receptions 1,163 yards 27 TDs receiving
WR 11 LaVon Pearson 40 Receptions, 543 yards and 16 TDs receiving
DB 17 Michael Green 57.0 Tackles 9 INTs, 41 Pass Break Ups and 1 TD
JLB 27 Pasquale Vacchio 32.0 Tackles 7 INTs 2 Fumble Recoveries 2 TDs
Lions Leaders:
QB 3 Brian Hicks 45-73-4 472 yards and 9 TDs.
WR 0 Bones Bagaunte 94 Receptions 945 yards 28 TDs Receiving
WR 8 Triston Purifoy 27 Receptions 249 yards 1 TD Receiving
DB 1 Shattle Fenteng 44.5 Tackles 3 INTs, 23 Pass Break Ups, 1 TD
DL 22 Greg Halls Jr 36.5 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 1 Safety
Article by: DJ Wagner
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