Cobras enjoy first victory of football season

    The Industrial Cobras started district play at Cobra stadium this past Friday night against the Palacios Sharks. The entire game was shown to be a battle for the Cobras, but in the end they broke a long losing streak by beating the Sharks with a final score of 23-6.
    The captains took the field for the opening coin toss, Palacios won and deferred to the Cobras. The first quarter of play was a great defensive showing by both teams. The Cobras opening drive showed promise as the Cobras marched down field but then were forced to punt. The Cobras and Sharks traded blows until late in the first quarter when #29 Jay Sandoval broke through the Palacios defense  and headed up field for a 76-yard touchdown with the point after attempt good. The first quarter came to an end with the Cobras 7, Sharks 0.
    The start of the second quarter the Sharks began on their own 10-yard line faced with fourth down, and a great defensive stop by #20, Bailey Kolb sacked the quarterback and pushed the Sharks back, forcing a punt.
    The Cobra’s next series of plays were stopped short forcing a turnover on downs. The Cobra defense took the field once again pushing the Sharks back deep into their territory. Late in the quarter the Cobra defense pinned the Shark offense 4th and 5 from their seven-yard line. The Sharks, needing to punt, snapped the ball over the punters head sending it sailing out the back of the end zone for a Cobra safety.
    Palacios kicked from their 20-yard line into the hands of #28 Avery Milner, who returned the ball for another Cobra touchdown. With the point after attempt good, the score for the first half of play ended with the Industrial Cobras 16, Palacios Sharks 0.
    To start the second half #83 Alberto Pineda kicked off for the Cobras. The Cobra defense took the field and put on a clinic with #20 Kolb breaking up a pass, and #60 Wesley Silva stopping the Shark offense and forcing a turnover on downs. The Cobras and Sharks battled back and forth and it wasn't until near the end of the third quarter when #20 Milner intercepted a pass by the Sharks and returned it up the field for 25 yards.
    The Cobras were 1st and 10 deep in Shark territory, and #22 Jakub Rozsypal ran in for a Cobra touchdown. #10 Brock Werckle kicked the point after bringing the score at the end of the third quarter, Cobras 23, Sharks 0.
    During the fourth quarter #19 Nick Kouches recovered a fumble by the Sharks. In Shark territory the Cobras plagued by penalties forced a turnover on downs to the Sharks. The Sharks scored with 3:21 left in the fourth, and their two-point conversion was denied, bringing the score to Cobras 23, Sharks 6.
    The Sharks attempted an onside kick, but it was quickly covered by the Cobras. The Cobra’s victory was sealed when #42 Matthew Shelton sacked the quarterback and forced a turnover on downs and brought the game to an end. The final score stayed Industrial Cobras 23, Palacios Sharks 6.
    Athletic director Kensey Allen said the coaching staff is extremely proud of how their kids pulled together these last two weeks to accomplish this goal. “We are excited for our kids who have stayed in this program, they could make everything they went through worth it. They played selfless football and left it all out on the field. Now we move on to our next goal of returning this program to the Texas high school playoffs. We have to go back to work and the kids know what a great opportunity we have, and I believe they are up to the challenge.”
    Next week the Cobras travel to Hempstead to face the Bobcats, Friday at 7:30.