04/30/2022 10:04 PM
Greensboro, NC
By: DJ Wagner
Photo by: Isaiah Sullivan
Tonight, for the home opener for the Carolina Cobras they came in focused and took out the Predators 48-26 to win at the Greensboro Coliseum for the first time since 2019 and take their record to 2-0. The Predators won the opening coin toss and deferred to kick off to the Cobras to start the game. After the kickoff went out of bounds the Cobras started on the 20 and drove 30 years, with QB Jonathan Bane connecting with Kendrick Ings from four yards out for the first score of the game, and after a successful PAT from TC Stevens, it was 7-0 Cobras early in the first quarter and they would never trail for the rest of the game. On the Predators first possession it did not go well for them, as they went four and out, with DE Larry Ford providing the sack on fourth down to give the Cobras the ball back. The Predators defense returned the favor causing the Cobras to turn it over on downs. The first play for the Predators led to a Micah Robinson sack, Tre Long had his second interception in two games this one in the endzone, giving the Cobras back the ball on their 5, That ended the first quarter with the Cobras leading 7-0,
On the next Cobras drive, James Summers fumbled after a reception and it was recovered in the air by Josh Jenkins for the Predators, but the Carolina defense held up, causing Orlando to attempt a FG, which was short and returned 15 yards by Joe Powell to bring it to midfield. This time the Cobras capitalized as they drove 26 yards for the TD, finishing up with a two-yard plunge by Micah Robinson for the TD, this time the Cobras could not correct the bad snap and the ball went wide right, it was 13-0 Cobras. The Cobras defense continued to stifle the Predators and on fourth and 31, the Predators attempted another FG, again, this one was short and returned by Joe Powell 26 yards to the Predators 24. On the second play of the drive, Bane connected with Lance Evans, who was initially ruled out of bounds, but after review was given the TD, and the Cobras extended their lead to 20-0 with the successful Stevens PAT. Orlando finally got on the board with a 19-yard run to Kewan Alfred for the TD, the PAT snap was botched, and it was 20-6 Cobras. The Cobras got the kickoff, this time again from their 20-yard line, and drove the 30 yards to the end zone. This time finishing up with a run from Zack Brown with the final two yards for the TD, and with the PAT good, we went to the half with the Carolina Cobras up 27-6 over the Predators.
The third quarter started with the Cobras kicking off, and Orlando got started at their 15. They took the opening drive of the second half and scored a TD on a nice 11-yard pass from QB Rakeem Kato to Clarence Williams, the PAT was wide left, and it was 27-12 Cobras. The Cobras answered right back, driving 40 yards and finishing with a one yard end around by James Summers and with the PAT good, it was 34-12 Cobras. On the Predators next drive, they turned it over on downs. The Cobras drove down to the Orlando five-yard line and that is how we ended the third quarter, Cobras up 34-12.
The fourth quarter started off with a 6-yard pass from Bane to Zack Brown, his second of the night. The PAT was good again, and it made the score 41-12 Cobras. The Predators burned over six minutes of clock on their next possession and were able to punch it in from one yard out with a run by Brandon Feuntes, the Predators were successful with the 2pt conversion with a pass to Lonnie Outlaw, that made it Cobras 41, Predators 20, with 8:19 to go in the game. The Cobras drove down, eating even more clock and finished the drive with Bane with the one-yard keeper for the TD. Stevens was perfect again on the PAT and it was 48-20 Cobras, with just 3:04 left. Orlando was able to drive down and score one final TD, this time a six-yard pass to the tight end Austin Regan and the 2pt conversion failed, it was 48-26 Cobras. The Cobras recovered the onside kick, and ran out the clock, making the final score from the Greensboro Coliseum, 48-26. The Cobras go to 2-0, while the Predators fall to 1-1.
Stars of the game for the Cobras:
Zack Brown, five rushes for 22 yards and a TD, one reception for four yards and a TD.
Jonathan Bane 17-24-0 for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns and added another TD on 3 rushes for 9 yards.
Kendrick Ings 4 receptions for 53 yards and a TD
Lance Evans 2 receptions for 36 yards and a TD.
Defensively
Larry Ford 11 tackles and 1 sack
Tre Long 1 INT, 9 tackles, and 2 receptions for 12 yards.
More stats coming Monday morning, as we do After Further Review.
But a great start to the 2022 season for the Cobras so far, and they will be hosting the Jacksonville (0-2) who lost for in OT for the second week in a row. Kickoff is 7pm on Saturday May 7, so make sure you get your tickets NOW!
