Week 10 Preview: Cobras vs. Gunslingers

06/24/2022 11:56 AM 

Game Preview Week 10 at San Antonio


Carolina Cobras (7-2) vs San Antonio Gunslingers (2-5)


Freeman Coliseum


Saturday Night 8 p.m ET.


PREGAME NOTES:


New York State of Mind:  The Cobras completed a season sweep over the reigning NAL champs with a 59-56 victory over Albany on Saturday. T.C. Stevens drilled a last-second, walk-off field goal to send the Empire back to New York firmly mired in the middle of the pack while the Cobras jumped to a 2.5 game lead on the field. Carolina is likely destined to play Albany again, but this time in the postseason. All three games went down to the wire, none more of a nail-biter than Saturday’s clash. Six more touchdown passes from Jonathan Bane padded his lead in the NAL, while D.J. Myers and Kendrick Ings (the league’s “Ironman of the Week”) caught two apiece.

Texas Trouble:  A change in ownership of the San Antonio franchise seems to have signaled a resurgence in the Gunslingers, as they have won two straight games and are starting to make noise in the NAL. Like the Cobras, San Antonio knocked off Albany 59-56 at home and then last Friday upset Orlando 55-53. As Morgan Freeman remarked in The Shawshank Redemption, “Hope is a dangerous thing,” especially in sports. The ‘Slingers may be 2-5 but have both hope and skill. Early in the season Carolina players and coaches remarked in private that there was talent in San Antonio, and now they are getting results. Quarterback Robert Kent has thrown 24 touchdowns in his five games at the helm, and leading receiver Kali Rashaad is as dangerous as they come. Like his counterpart Bane, Kent likes to share the wealth and is not shy about involving all his receivers. Saturday’s game might be on the Riverwalk but will surely not be a cakewalk.

Leading Men:  Jonathan Bane now leads the league in passing yards (2,103), passing yards per game (233.7) and passing touchdowns (43). Considering that the Cobras’ offense are the masters of the time-consuming drive, that is an amazing stat line for the Dakota Wesleyan product. Bane also shares the league lead in rushing touchdowns (6) with teammate Zack Brown, who is the NAL’s leading rusher with 118 yards on the ground. Brown has also been a force on the defensive side, recording 22 tackles and 3 sacks along with 3 forced fumbles. “ZB” is also irreplaceable in the locker room, as he is a huge presence and of course, a fan favorite.

Coaches View:

"We had a great finish last week that put us in great shape in the standings. Now we just have to take care of business. San Antonio will not be the same team we played a few weeks ago. They have found new energy and life with great new ownership and that makes a world of difference. They are playing great football right now and this is not a team to take lightly." Stated Head Coach Josh Resignalo. 

Last Meeting:  The Gunslingers team that Carolina faces this week is decidedly different from the one that visited Greensboro on May 20. That night marked the first night of a newly revamped roster and a coming-out party of sorts for Kent. His 5 touchdowns were not enough to keep pace with a Carolina team firing on all cylinders in a 72-35 loss. Suffice it to say, San Antonio is looking for some revenge.


Looking Ahead:  The fellas return home July 2 to try and keep pace atop the NAL with a 7p.m. game against the Columbus Lions. It’s Military and First Responders Night at the Coliseum, so grab your tickets and come get the long weekend started with Cobras football!