NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
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National Arena League
menuGunslingers Slip Past Cobras 41-40 in Home Opener
SAN ANTONIO, TX - The San Antonio Gunslingers proved just a little better than the Carolina Cobras in the 2023 National Arena League season opener, April 8th at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. The 41-40 victory for the Gunslingers was their first in a season opener and their second over the Carolina Cobras at home since joining the NAL in 2022.
With strong defense being given on both sides, the two teams were never more than a touchdown and conversion apart throughout the contest. On their final possession Carolina trailed 41-34 with thirty-three seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. Jalen Rima took a Charles McCullum pass and outran the entire Gunslingers secondary to score his second touchdown of the night. But San Antonio’s Arthur Hobbs knocked down the two-point conversion attempt from McCullum to Lance Evans. T.C. Steven’s potential game winning deuce attempt fell short, and San Antonio went on to win 41-40.
Both quarterbacks were impressive in their debuts for their respective teams. Arvell Nelson for San Antonio completed 24 of 41 passes with three touchdowns and rushed for two more touchdowns in his first appearance in a Gunslinger uniform. Carolina’s McCullum completed 15 of 24 passes with one interception and also threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more in his first appearance for the Cobras.
The defensive play produced three turnovers for each team. Carolina turned over once on downs, once by fumble, and once by interception. San Antonio also turned the ball over once on downs along with a fumble and the season’s first ‘bar ball’ when T.C. Stevens’ kickoff in the 3rd quarter with 5:26 remaining bounced off the crossbar and back into play where it was picked up by Carolina’s Sha’haun Williams and carried to the Gunslingers five yard-line.
San Antonio next faces the 1-0 Jacksonville Sharks in Jacksonville on Saturday, April 15th. Carolina will host the 0-1 West Texas Warbirds on Sunday, April 16th.
ABOUT THE SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
The San Antonio Gunslingers are members of the National Arena League (NAL) and were awarded Franchise of the Year by the NAL for their overall performance during the 2022 season. Gunslingers play all home games at the Freeman Coliseum. Follow the Gunslingers on Facebook at @210sagunslingers, on Twitter @SA_Gunslingers and Instagram @sanantoniogunslingers. For Gunslingers season tickets, group packages or partnerships, visit https://www.sanantoniogunslingers.com/tickets or call (210) 298-6900.
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 has kicked 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/nationalarenaleague, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.