GAME RECAP: Cobras Rival Gets Revenge 55-37

by Steven Shotola

Four Former Cobras Score Touchdowns for Mustangs in Carolina Loss

GREENSBORO, NC –  On a CobraRitaville Saturday Night the Cobras may have entered this home game a little too laid back as the sounds of Jimmy Buffet's island tunes maybe not have hyped up the players in this week nine rivalry against the Fayetteville Mustangs, who did not come to Greensboro for a tropical vacation as the last time these two rivals met the Cobras beat the Mustangs badly on their home turf 72-34 the Cobras highest scoring game of the season. Tonight Fayetteville looked to be ready for revenge in the Snake Pit. After introducing the Cobras impressive Mascot “Savage” for the first time in team history the Cobra Nation festivities seem to go south fast on the field as the Cobras went down 12-2 in the first quarter stunning the Cobras crowd as the team's only points came from a blocked extra point returned for a two-point score by FB/LB Zack Brown. For the Mustangs it was the return of former Cobra Kendrick Ings who was the first to score for Mustangs with receiving touchdown from quarterback Rakeem Cato who later found another former Cobra to score his second passing touchdown as he connected with receiver Tre Long on a 25-yard score.


The very first play in the second quarter the Mustangs found a third former Cobra to score as quarterback Rakeem Cato threw a bomb to WR/DB James Summers to start the second quarter. Despite turnover on downs plaguing the Cobras offense Carolina finally broke into the end zone with a goal line rushing touchdown by fullback Zack Brown. The celebration was short lived as the Mustangs immediately struck back as a TC Stevens near deuce on kick off became a bar ball that turned into a kick return for a touchdown by former Cobra Herb Waters putting the Mustangs up 24-9. A quiet Malik Henry drove the Cobras down the field to get the team into the redzone for a scoring drive but a dropped pass by receiver Miles Kelly on fourth & goal in the endzone would keep the Cobras at only nine points with less than two-minutes before halftime their lowest scoring half of the season. The pressure now on the Cobras defense for the stop but the revenge tour by Rakeem Cato and his band of former Cobras continued as Tre Long touchdown catch extended the Mustangs lead giving Cato his fourth touchdown pass of the night and very little time for the Cobras to score as Fayetteville entered the locker room up 32-9 at halftime in Greensboro.


In need of a big Carolina comeback for this rivalry in the second half needed to have a different outcome to keep the win-streak in the Snake Pit alive. Quarterback Malik Henry came out of the locker room firing as Carolina would be the first to score in the second half with a Henry to Adam Smith touchdown pass. The Cobras continue to take over the second half as Fayetteville’s first play on offense would turn into a Rakeem Cato fumble recovered by Cobras OL/DL Tavin Fitzgerald who returned the recovery into a touchdown giving the Cobras back to back touchdowns to start the second half. The Cobras were not done yet as the Snake Pit rallied while kicker TC Stevens knocked down a deuce cutting the Cobras deficit 32-24. A stunned Mustangs bench watched their offense only touch the ball once while a rejuvenated Cobras team scored 15 points on them. Despite great defensive effort the Mustangs managed to score as receiver Kendrick Ings got his second touchdown in his return to the Snake Pit.


On a crucial fourth & one play the Cobras could either fold or fight with a quarterback keeper by Malik Henry's attempt for a first down turned into a big rushing touchdown breathing more life into the Cobras comeback in Cobraritaville. However, the Cobras could not seem to be able to stop Mustangs quarterback Rakeem Cato who launched another touchdown pass to Kendrick Ings, as Kendricks Greensboro homecoming continued with three touchdown receptions. Fayetteville would score one more touchdown this time to Larry Beavers to end the Cobras home win streak in the Snake Pit. Despite a great comeback attempt in the second half the second rivalry game in Greensboro-Fayetteville history would go to the Mustangs with a 55-37 final. Cobras fans were stunned to see the Cobras completely shutout of scoring in the fourth quarter but Carolina did beat Fayetteville on their home turf, appearing to make tonight the Mustangs revenge game in this great in-state rivalry as four former Cobras scored points for the Mustangs tonight.


Tonight’s game left a lot of questions unanswered for the 4-2 Carolina Cobras. Fans witnessed the NAL’s best rushing attack reduced to less than 30-yards and two touchdowns. The biggest surprise of the night was the Cobras allowing seven touchdown passes by Fayetteville’s Rakeem Cato. On the Cobras side, quarterback Malik Henry has had a great season so far but struggled this time against the Mustangs defense as they forced two interceptions and a sack, Henry entered the game with only three total interceptions all season. Despite the struggle, the Cobras leader did find ways to score on his feet and from the air as receiver Adam Smith led the team with eight catches and one receiving touchdown. On defense, the secondary was led by veteran defensive back Mike Green who gained seven tackles tonight with two pass breakups but no Cobra gained a turnover from a interception, a quiet game from Kenny Veal who had a two-interception game in the snake pit and a three-interception game this season. The only game changing turnover tonight was from the defensive line was by lineman Tavin Fitzgerald gaining a scoop to score against Rakeem Cato who otherwise had a perfect night for the Mustangs. The Ironman for the Cobras tonight was Zack Brown who proved to fight hard in tonight’s loss at home, Brown scored on offense with a rushing touchdown, he also scored on a blocked extra point attempt that he returned for a touchdown playing offense, defense, and special teams for Carolina. The result tonight however was simply not enough, the Cobras not gaining a sack or interception was costly as the high-powered Mustangs offense stacked with former Cobra talent overwhelmed this week nine Cobras team.

Going into week 10, the Carolina Cobras will not let one loss define their season with plenty of games left in the year the Cobras will regroup on the road as they head to West Texas for their next matchup on Saturday, June 10 at the Ector County Coliseum. The 4-2 Cobras will take on the 2-5 Warbirds the trip may serve as great trajectory point for the Cobras to see if they can continue to soar as a top four seed or if the loss to a rival will fester future results as fans witnessed a top ranked 2022 Cobras team go from win streak to falling game after game in a late season losing streak last season. With Coach Fuller at the helm, he will put this loss in the rear view mirror with a big victory planned on the horizon in Texas. In football, indoor or outdoor, sometimes for coaches & players alike you learn more from losing than winning after four straight wins in a row a humbling loss at home may be what this team needed. The fans will see if that is true next week as the Cobras will be favored to win next week against the 2-5 West Texas Warbirds in Odessa, TX.



ABOUT THE CAROLINA COBRAS
The Carolina Cobras are members of the National Arena League (NAL). Founded in 2017, the Carolina Cobras are starting their sixth season in 2023 and were the 2018 National Arena League Champions. The Cobras play their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum. Cobra Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now call (336) 445-7232 or visit carolinacobras.com. Follow the Cobras on Facebook at facebook.com/carcobras, twitter.com/carcobras and instagram.com/carcobras.




ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. The National Arena League will kick off its seventh season in 2023. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com . For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.