Cobras Strike Down Steelhawks

By RJ Ciancio

​The 7-4 Carolina Cobras played host to the 0-11 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The Cobras attempted to take the number two seed and secure a playoff spot in the National Arena League (NAL) Playoffs while Lehigh Valley is still seeking their first win of the year. The Steelhawks entered the game with no healthy quarterbacks and wide receiver Yousef Reddick missed the team bus and couldn’t make the game.

Lehigh Valley used Patrick Ryan and Derrick Macon as quarterbacks, both of whom were playing out of position. Quarterback-Center exchanges plagued the team and a lack of depth at the receiver position due to the need for emergency quarterbacks and Youssef Reddick missing the game.

Meanwhile, Carolina continued spread the ball like butter on bread and touchdowns came aplenty as Anthony Ellis, Jordan Jolly and Phillip Barnett all found the end zone. One of the many first half highlights was when Craig Peterson broke the NAL single season deuce record.

However, the Cobras had a major scare late in the first half as Charles McCullum left the game with a back bruise (he would not return to the game). Jordan Jolly, a former college quarterback took the field and struggled a bit before he showed that the Cobras have a very good backup quarterback who can step up when he needs to.

By the end of the game the Carolina Cobras scored the most points in franchise history with 78 while Lehigh Valley was only able to put up 9. The Cobras have a major upside as this is the team’s first season and they have a good shot at the NAL Championship.

The Steelhawks need to find themselves a stable offensive line and discipline the team more as they commit countless unnecessary penalties and their drives constantly sputter out. They have a good bit of work to do in the off-season.