Cobra Zone - From the Press Box

A return, and a win

     7/1 - Two weeks ago, I wrote that “Adrian Lunsford looks lost returning kicks.” Time for me to eat my words.
   Lunsford’s spectacular kickoff return touchdown in the fourth quarter Friday epitomized the attitude that the Cobras displayed throughout the game. As coach Doug Kay said, “I think that they just determined they were going to win a football game.” And, on Lunsford’s return, they determined that they were going to score a touchdown.
   It started with Lunsford’s fake to throw off a defender and get out of his own endzone. From there, he reversed field three times. He stumbled. He got back up. (Was he tripped? Possibly. Will I take it anyway? After eight losses, yes.) Finally, he crossed the goal line. Explosions. Jubilation. BOOM!
   Typically, the chances of getting fans to recognize great blocking on a return like Lunsford’s would be about equal to those of the Cobras winning the ArenaBowl this season. Not so this time, however, as 12,194 voices recognized FB/LB Bo Kelly’s brutal hit on Anthony Fogle with their cries of “BOOM!” as the block unfolded again and again on the Jumbotron.
   Like Lunsford, Kelly got back up. And ten minutes later, he plowed 24 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown that put the Cobras up 63-53. Chris Berman would have a field day with these highlights.
   “The wonderful thing about it is we won. To say it’s redeeming is an understatement,” said Kay. After coming so close, so many times, the Cobras won, at home, in front of a spirited crowd. After barely getting out of the gate, after several changes of course, after stumbling through eight straight losses, the Cobras got back up. And they won.

Snake Bites

Marrio Grier (right), talking with Morgan Patrick on “The Sports Pig” on 850 AM before the game, said that he expects to be back at full speed in four to five months. Grier injured his ACL at Florida on May 13. Grier said that the Cobras would be “in the thick of this thing” if not for the team’s rash of injuries.

Kelly was named the Ironman of the Game, given to the best two-way player. OS Dexter Dawson won game MVP.

The Cobras, and mascot King Cobra, wore their red pants at home for the first time.

OL/DL Jerry Sharp appeared to injure is left knee or ankle, but remained in the game after getting up unassisted and talking to Kay. FB/LB Alan Campos was slow to get up on several occasions.

Houston WR/LB Damon Bowers was ejected after an altercation with a fan in the final ten seconds of the game.