1988 Los Angeles Cobras season

The 1988 Los Angeles Cobras season was the first and only season for the Cobras.

1988 Los Angeles Cobras season
Head coachRay Willsey
Home fieldLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Results
Record5–6–1
Division place4th
Playoff finishL semifinals vs. Chicago Bruisers 29–16

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

Schedule
WeekDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam 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
1988 Arena Football League standings
Team W L T PCT PF PA PF (Avg.) PA (Avg.) STK
xy-Chicago Bruisers1011.87552637443.831.2T 1
x-Detroit Drive930.75047231039.325.8W 7
x-Pittsburgh Gladiators660.50050749142.340.9L 1
x-Los Angeles Cobras561.45846344938.637.4T 1
New England Steamrollers390.25033551127.942.6W 1
New York Knights2100.16734251028.542.5L 2

Playoffs
RoundDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam record
Semi-finals July 23 at Chicago Bruisers L 16–29 0–1 Rosemont Horizon

Roster
1988 Los Angeles Cobras roster
Quarterbacks

Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs

  • 42 Mike Benson
  • 22 Cliff Branch
  • 26 Derrick Donald
  • 20 Joe Kelly
  •  1 Gary Mullen
 Running Backs/Linebackers

Offensive Linemen/Defensive Linemen

  • -- Eric Arrington
  • 55 Brian Clark
  • 60 Chuck Harris
  • 72 Dwayne Jackson
  • 84 Michael Jones
  • 80 Tony Palamara
  • 82 Louis Sorrentino
  • 64 Dester Stowers
  • 66 Wes Walton
 Wide Receivers/Linebackers
  • 92 Wade Lockett
  • 93 Matthew McKnight
  • 25 Richard Rodgers

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 5, 2013
28 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

→ More rosters

Awards
Position Player Award All-Arena team
Wide Receiver/Defensive BackGary Mullennone1st
QuarterbackMatt Stevensnone2nd
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References
  1. Lonnie White (March 17, 1988). "Arena Football : Ray Willsey Will Coach L.A.'s Cobras". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. Lonnie White (April 30, 2013). "Cobras, Arena Football Make L.A. Debut Tonight". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  3. Lonnie White (May 21, 1988). "Now, Matt Stevens' Job Is to Turn the Cobras Around". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  4. 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". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. Lonnie White (April 6, 1988). "Branch, Stevens Head Cobra Picks". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  6. "Box Score LA @ Chicago July 23, 1988". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
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