The Carolina Cobras hit the road to take on the New York Streets in the Westchester County Center for the first time this season. The first meeting of these two teams in Greensboro ended in a Cobras victory and the same true in New York as the Carolina Cobras headed home with a 52-41 win against the Streets.
Carolina’s Charles McCullum throwing a total of 275 on the day against the Streets with one rushing touchdown and five through the air. The win also gives Carolina Head Coach Billy Back his 100th win as a Head Coach.
The Streets started the scoring off with a rushing touchdown by Quarterback David Legree Rushing which was even matched with a Charles McCullum Rushing touchdown for Carolina. The deciding factor in the first quarter of play came from Brandon Rutherford nailing not only his extra point attempt, but also a deuce on the kickoff.
Carolina led with a 9-6 showing on the scoreboard. The second quarter was opened with a Carolina possession. Rutherford came out for the field goal attempt, which was narrowly missed. A Bumbled snap by LeGree forced a safety by Carolina’s Pasquale Vacchio on the next play extending the Cobras lead 11-6.
Trying to keep the momentum going Carolina, but the next drive was snuffed out without any points The next kickoff saw the ball illegally batted down in the end zone to give the Streets a single point by National Arena League rules. Dampened efforts aside, Dashawn Johnson came off the line to grab a pitch from McCullum for a 20 yard touchdown and ticked the scoreboard out to 19-7 in favor of Carolina. Despite the Cobras defense driving back the Streets on several negative plays, Legree found Rob Jones deep in the end zone. A two point conversion attempt was broken up by Ken Walton.
Jordan Jolly, who was relatively quiet through the first half, snapped up a touchdown grab with just seven seconds left before the halftime horn, carrying a 26-13 lead into the locker room. The New York Streets started the second half with a touchdown drive, almost exactly how they started the first. Legree again ran one in to get the six points himself, but was unable to connect on the two point conversion attempt following.
Back to work Carolina’s LaVon Pearson got the pass from McCullum to move the ball 45 yards in one go and land in the end zone. Rutherford again rallied for a deuce kick making the score 35-19. New York continued the rushing assault led by Legree. The Streets quarterback again rushed for the touchdown, and this time found Edgar Poe for the two point attempt to pull back within reach with the score at 35-27. Wasting no time McCullum found Jolly for his seventh reception of the day spread the points out with a Cobra touchdown once more at 42-27 to end the third period.
The first scoring chance of the final quarter came with a wildcat play by Carolina being intercepted on the pass from Zach Ducker, but Carolina’s Robert Brown Jr. returned the favor with an interception of his own at the one yard line keeping the score stagnant. Just over six minutes left in regulation saw former Cobras and current Streets player Darius Thomas force an interception of the boards. Not to be denied again, Legree again punched the ball in for a touchdown. His fourth of the day, and again the failed two point conversion coupled with a deuce by kicker Billy Deane left the streets down 42-35.
Less than two and a half minutes left on the clock, Jolly found McCullum’s pass again and crossed the goal line. Pearson showed off the hands with a grab for the two point conversion on the Cobras side. Rutherford sailed one through the uprights to extend the lead 52-35. Devonte Jenkins still fought for every point, getting a streets touchdown at the buzzer to close the gap in the final score at 52-41.
The victory keeps Carolina in the #2 spot in the National Arena League at 5-2 as they prepare for the Jacksonville Sharks to pay them a visit next Saturday June 15th. The New York Streets now fall under .500 with a 3-4 record and will hope to bounce back next week against the 2-5 Columbus Lions. Tickets are available at the coliseum box office in person or by phone at 336.455.7232 or by visiting Carcobras.com
