WEEK 8 PREVIEW: Predators vs. Cobras

GREENSBORO -  This week the (1-4) Carolina Cobras host their final home game of the season against (3-3) Orlando Predators in a must-win game in order to stay alive for playoffs. The Cobras are currently two games out from the 4th seed, a place they must obtain by week 10 to reach the playoffs. For that to happen Carolina needs teams to lose including this week’s opponent the Orlando Predators, who at 3-3 are currently the #3 team inside the playoff ring for 2021 at the moment. A win against the Predators at home and a win against the #4 Jacksonville Sharks on the road will put the Cobras in striking range of a playoff berth. A first home win in addition to  beating the third-ranked team in the NAL could be the momentum that the Cobras have been looking for following their heartbreaking loss against the Sharks, but served as a statement game to the league that the Cobras are capable of upsetting teams this year in big games. 


In the Saturday night nail biter, Carolina was just a catch away from winning their first home game against the Jacksonville Sharks last Saturday, losing 54-52. Fans witnessed a lights out fourth quarter performance where the Cobras struck up 28 points in front of a roaring fan base at the most exciting home game of the season that shocked the Sharks. The Cobras scored two crucial touchdowns late in the fourth quarter the first came from a 34-yard touchdown pass from Castronova to receiver Adam Smith, the second was a 45-yard touchdown pass from Castronova to Kendricks Ings putting the Cobras only down 46-48, in a stunning special teams play wide receiver Adam Smith who served as kicker due to a injured TC Stevens squib kicked a line drive that bounced over Sharks returner Jordan Williams that stunned the whole arena as fullback Dashawn Johnson pounced on the ball not for a safety but a touchdown. The Cobras went up 52-48 and the Sharks sideline was silent as the Cobras countdown for victory was ticking away. Sharks receiver Devin Wilson stretched to score the Sharks final touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Danny Southwick. The Sharks went up 54-52 with time for Carolina to pull off one final drive. Sam Castronova drove the offense down the field quickly and Coach Res devised a game-winning play but an incompletion on expired time closed the Cobras shot at victory. 


Despite a nail-biting defeat, the Cobras proved to be a serious threat to teams, Sam Castronova who did not start the game pulled off 16 completions for 185 yards and four touchdown in his return to the Cobras offensive, three of the four touchdowns went to his primary target Kendrick Ings who dominated the Sharks with nine catches for 125 yards. Fullback Dashawn Johnson had a incredible game with a hat trick scoring two touchdowns on offense as well as one on special teams. 


The Predators, currently riding a two-game win streak but did struggle both against the Sharks in Orlando where they came away with victory 52-41 and recently slipped past the Jersey Flight in a low scoring 32-12 game last week. This will be the first time the Predators and Cobras face off, with Cobras nation behind this team in the Snake Pit and the high level of play we saw last week the Predators could very well see their win-streak snapped by your Carolina Cobras moving the Cobras one game closer to the playoff goal. Like the Cobras the Predators have some weapons on offense currently averaging 42.7 points per game, new Quarterback Pat O’Brien is scoring both on the ground and in the air with eight touchdowns in only two games. Predators star receiver DJ Myers has a combined 15 catches, 173 yards, and three touchdowns recently against the Flight but leads the team in receiving touchdowns with 14 of Orlando’s 26 total for the season. This must win game will not be easy but if there is anything the Cobras proved last week is that we are capable of stunning the NAL. 


It’s Christmas in July Saturday in the Snake Pit, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and starting at $10! To buy tickets call 336-445-7232, visit carolinacobras.com or visit the coliseum box office. Fans are encouraged to wear their best Christmas attire as this final home, so break out the ugly sweaters and get ready to cheer for your Cobras during the Christmas in July. Fans can also enjoy pregame activities including an autograph session with our Venom Hunnies Cheerleaders and local business promotional tables for fans to enjoy provided by our 2021 sponsors and fang pack partners. For those who can’t make the game, you can watch online by visiting nationalarenaleague.com or watch on the National Arena League YouTube channel. 


ABOUT THE CAROLINA COBRAS

The Carolina Cobras are members of the National Arena League (NAL). Founded in 2017, the Carolina Cobras are in their inaugural season in 2018 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Cobra Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now call (336) 445-7232 or visit carcobras.com. Follow the Cobras on Facebook at facebook.com/carcobras, twitter.com/carcobras and instagram.com/carcobras.