1988 Los Angeles Cobras season
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| 1988 Los Angeles Cobras season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Ray Willsey |
| Home field | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–6–1 |
| Division place | 4th |
| Playoff finish | L semifinals vs. Chicago Bruisers 29–16 |
The 1988 Los Angeles Cobras season was the first and only season for the Cobras.
On March 16, 1988, it was announced that team would be nicknamed the Cobras, as well as the introduction of head coach Ray Willsey.[1] The Cobras played their home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which they shared with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. The team's logo consisted of an interlocking "LA" in which the left upright of the "A" was formed by the hooded head and "neck" of a cobra.
The team debuted April 30, 1988, against the New York Knights.[2] The Cobras started the season 0–3,[3] but finished the season 5-3-1, clinching a playoff spot.[4]
Despite a lineup that featured former NFL all-pro receiver Cliff Branch, ex-UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens[5] and future Arena Football Hall of Fame Gary Mullen, Los Angeles drew dismal crowds: just 7,507 per game, second-worst in the AFL.[4] The Cobras lost in the semifinals to the Chicago Bruisers, 29–16.[6] It turned out to be their last game ever as the Cobras (as well as the New York Knights and the New England Steamrollers) folded after the 1988 season, temporarily cutting the league down to just three teams.
Regular season[edit]
Schedule[edit]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Results | Game site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | ||||
| 1 | April 30 | New York Knights | L 52–60 | 0–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| 2 | May 6 | at Chicago Bruisers | L 35–46 | 0–2 | Rosemont Horizon |
| 3 | May 14 | at Pittsburgh Gladiators | L 43–61 | 0–3 | Civic Arena |
| 4 | May 21 | Pittsburgh Gladiators | W 66–32 | 1–3 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| 5 | May 26 | New England Steamrollers | W 27–20 | 2–3 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| 6 | June 6 | at New York Knights | W 36–22 | 3–3 | Madison Square Garden |
| 7 | June 10 | at Detroit Drive | L 26–39 | 3–4 | Joe Louis Arena |
| 8 | June 16 | Detroit Drive | L 14–38 | 3–5 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| 9 | June 25 | at New England Steamrollers | W 49–34 | 4–5 | Providence Civic Center |
| 10 | July 2 | New York Knights | L 30–40 | 4–6 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
| 11 | July 9 | at Chicago Bruisers | W 48–28 | 5–6 | Rosemont Horizon |
| 12 | July 14 | Chicago Bruisers | T 37–37 (OT) | 5–6–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena |
Standings[edit]
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | PF (Avg.) | PA (Avg.) | STK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy-Chicago Bruisers | 10 | 1 | 1 | .875 | 526 | 374 | 43.8 | 31.2 | T 1 | ||
| x-Detroit Drive | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | 472 | 310 | 39.3 | 25.8 | W 7 | ||
| x-Pittsburgh Gladiators | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | 507 | 491 | 42.3 | 40.9 | L 1 | ||
| x-Los Angeles Cobras | 5 | 6 | 1 | .458 | 463 | 449 | 38.6 | 37.4 | T 1 | ||
| New England Steamrollers | 3 | 9 | 0 | .250 | 335 | 511 | 27.9 | 42.6 | W 1 | ||
| New York Knights | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | 342 | 510 | 28.5 | 42.5 | L 2 | ||
Playoffs[edit]
| Round | Date | Opponent | Results | Game site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | ||||
| Semi-finals | July 23 | at Chicago Bruisers | L 16–29 | 0–1 | Rosemont Horizon |
Roster[edit]
| 1988 Los Angeles Cobras roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
| Running Backs/Linebackers
Offensive Linemen/Defensive Linemen
| Wide Receivers/Linebackers
Kickers Rookies in italics → More rosters | ||||
Awards[edit]
| Position | Player | Award | All-Arena team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Gary Mullen | none | 1st |
| Quarterback | Matt Stevens | none | 2nd |
References[edit]
- ^ Lonnie White (March 17, 1988). "Arena Football : Ray Willsey Will Coach L.A.'s Cobras". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Lonnie White (April 30, 2013). "Cobras, Arena Football Make L.A. Debut Tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Lonnie White (May 21, 1988). "Now, Matt Stevens' Job Is to Turn the Cobras Around". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ a b Lonnie White (July 23, 1988). "L.A. Is a Tough Arena for Indoor Football : Cobras Are Still Making Some Gains Despite Competition for Sports Dollar". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Lonnie White (April 6, 1988). "Branch, Stevens Head Cobra Picks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "Box Score LA @ Chicago July 23, 1988". ArenaFan. Retrieved September 23, 2013.