Greensboro, NC
By: DJ Wagner
After a short week and maybe the birth of some doubters, the Cobras came out strong from the start and this game tonight was never in doubt as the Cobras completely disarmed the Gunslingers (0-3) by a score of 72-35 to go 5-0 to start the season for the first time in franchise history. All three phases of the game were dominant for the Cobras in the win, and they temporarily extend their lead in the NAL to two full games over Albany, which faces Jacksonville Saturday night, and Columbus, who is off this week. Now to the game:
The Gunslingers came in hungry and won the opening coin toss and decided to receive. The force was strong with the Cobras on Star Wars night, as on the Gunslingers first drive of the night, on first and goal from the two-yard line, Micah Robinson forced a fumble from Tre Holland the Gunslinger, and it was recovered by Joe Powell who returned it to the Cobras nine-yard line. The Cobras wasted not time, as QB Jonathan Bane connected with WR Lance Evans from 32-yeards out, and with the PAT it was 7-0 Cobras. The next Gunslingers drive would answer back with a nice 13-yard catch by Kali Rashaad against the wall, but the PAT was no good, and it was 7-6 Cobras. The Cobras did not waste much time, putting more points on the board, this time it was Bane to Kendrick Ings from 20 yards out, the PAT was good again by TC Stevens, and it was 14-6 Cobras. The Gunslingers had it with just seconds left in the first quarter, and Kent went long, but it was cut off and intercepted in the end zone by DB Cris Page and gave the Cobras the ball as the first quarter ended with a 14-6 lead.
The Cobras drove right down the field and Bane connected with Evans for the second time of the night, this time from 23-yards out, and with another PAT, it was 21-6 Cobras. The Gunslingers didn’t give up and drove back down the field, Kent connected with Kadir Chisholm from 25 yards, the two-point attempt was good, and it was 21-14 Cobras. The Cobras were not to be denied, on the first play of the drive after a 24 Kendrick Ings kick return, Bane connected with Evans for the third time of the night, from 26-yards out, and with another successful PAT it was 28-14 Cobras. The Gunslingers were able to answer again, with Kent connecting with Neiko Creamer from 18 yards away, and with the PAT it was 28-21 Cobras. The Cobras ran off most of the remaining time in the half as Zack Brown rumbled in from four yards out, and with the PAT it gave the Cobras a 35-21 lead at the half.
The Cobras got the ball to start the second half and drove down the field. Bane connected with James Summers from 15-yards out, and with another PAT it was 42-21 Cobras. San Antonio’s next drive ended in disaster for them as Kent threw his second interception of the night to Cris Page, again in the end zone killing another drive. The Cobras drove 45-yards and finished up with a three-yard run, the PAT was good, and it was 49-21 with 1:08 left in the third quarter. Up 28 points the Cobras surprised the Gunslingers and executed an onside kick which was recovered by James Summers at the Cobras 16. The third ended with the Cobras driving, and up 49-21.
The fourth quarter started, just as the third quarter had ended with more Cobra domination, as a 30-yard connection from Bane to Evans for the fourth time of the night and another successful PAT made it 56-21 Cobras. After eight consecutive successful PATs, TC Stevens added the first Deuce in the Greensboro Coliseum in 2022 and extended the lead to 58-21. The Cobras defense did it again, as on the Gunslingers next drive, this time it was Joe Powell with his second turnover of the night, this time an interception off Kent which he returned 9 yards to give the Cobras the ball at their 15. The Cobras did not waste that possession either as Bane connected with James Summers who went over the wall, and the 13-yard touchdown completion. Stevens was good on the PAT, and it was 65-21. The Gunslingers were able to score as Kent connected with Darius Banks from 15-yards out, the 2pt conversion was good and the score closed to 65-29 about four minutes to go in the game. But the Cobras were not done putting points on the board as Bane connected with Joe Powell from seven yards out and with TC Stevens with his tenth consecutive PAT on the night, it was 72-29. The Gunslingers did score one more time with less than a minute to go, as Kent connected this time with Kali Rashaad from six yards, the 2pt attempt failed, and Powell covered the onside kick, and the Cobras ran out the clock to win 72-29.
This was a total team effort for the Cobras, and yes, there is still room for improvement, but it was the most complete game the Cobras have played so far this season, and it takes the team to 1-0 for the fifth straight week. Next game is at the Greensboro Coliseum, as the Jacksonville Sharks come back to the Snake Pit to take on the Cobras, Saturday May 28, kick off is at 7pm. Make sure you are there. Stay tuned to CarolinaCobras.com as After The Review will break down the tape and the stats from tonight’s performance.
