Industrial Lights Up Scoreboard in Win
By Michael Brooks, Sport Writer With 1:08 remaining in the football game between the Industrial Cobras and the Van Vleck Leopards, the Cobras held a 16 point lead and was looking to pick up a first down to run out the clock.
With 1:01 remaining, the Cobras had to recover a Leopard onside kick attempt in order to lock up the win.
The Cobras recovered the kick and won 60-52 in a game that had everything.
In the first quarter Industrial put together a quick scoring drive that included a 64 yard pass from Matthew Davis to Mason Roe and another drive where the Cobras ran over the Leopards and completely controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Leopard put together two scoring drives of their own, both times a quick strike attack.
The problem was, Industrial had missed both of their extra points and Van Vleck made both of theirs. This was an ongoing problem for the first three and a half quarters of the game.
After one, the Leopards lead 14-12.
In the second quarter, the Cobras took the lead, when after a defensive stand, Davis found Devin Barr and 25 yards later, and another missed extra point, they took an 18-14 lead.
But it was short lived as the Leopard broke another quick strike and retook the lead, 21-18.
This time it was Davis by himself to answer the call as he finished off another drive with a 16 yard run that gave Industrial a 24-21 lead.
Trying to keep the momentum on their side, the Cobra defense put together a great stand but a very questionable call on a Leopard fourth down attempt gave them a fresh set of down and they scored again on the next play to jump back ahead 28-24.
With the half approaching, the Cobras unfortunate streak continues as they fumble the Leopard kickoff and Van Vleck recovers.
Facing a fourth down the Leopards successfully kicked a field goal and then elect to try an onside kick. The recovered it but can’t advance, and Van Vleck goes to halftime with a 31-24 lead.
But this game was far from over.
The Cobras opened the second half with the ball and a chance to tie the game but a penalty killed their drive and they were forced to punt.
The Leopards put together a three play scoring drive to extend their lead to 38-24.
After a Cobra punt, the Cobra defense forced the Leopards to punt for only the third time in the game and suddenly the Cobras came alive.
Davis, running the option, elected to keep the ball and 45 yards later he scored again to cut the lead to 38-30.
On the next Leopard drive Jackson Fluitt came up with a huge interception and on the next play Davis again broke free for another touchdown. Having no luck with the extra point all night, the Cobras went for two and Davis found Barr for two to tie the game at 38 as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
The Leopards opened the fourth quarter by losing a fumble and a few plays later Davis broke free again and Industrial finally regained the lead 46-38, after the successful two point conversion.
The Cobra defense came up huge again, giving the ball back to the Cobras and after another drive Dylan Giesalhart got in from two yards out and after another successful two point conversion the Cobras extended their lead to 54-38. But the Leopards weren’t giving up yet.
The Leopards quickly get in again to cut the lead to 54-44.
The Cobras, trying to eat the clock, but still driving the field, scored again. This time it was Brock Durate who had some big runs on the drive, who finished it off to extend the Cobra lead to 60-44.
Trying to hurry and score again, the Leopards make a mistake as the Cobras come up with an interception inside their own 10 yard line.
Needing one more first down to seal the win, the Cobras, fumbled in their own end zone. The Leopards recovered and cut the Cobra lead to 60-52.
Using their last hope, the Leopards tried the onside kick, but the Cobras recovered to end this wild game.
Industrial (2-1) will host Tidehaven (2-1) on Friday for homecoming.