2016 Utah Cobras

 

The Utah Cobras join the 11 other teams in the RMFL Great North for the 2016 season.  Jaye 

Webster continues to lead the team for yet another season as the owner and GM of the Cobras.  

 

In 2015, the Cobras finished the regular season with a disappointing 2-6 record with their only victories coming against the Utah Stealth (43-20) and the Davis Vipers (42-41).  However, their first five games of 2015 were against the top teams in the RMFL, including the Lionz, Shock and REV. The 2016 Cobras look to turn around their hardships from last season into an improved 

season in the wide-open RMFL Great North.

 

First, the Cobra’s offensive unit will be bringing back receivers Illiott Alexander and Brady Young 

from last season.  Alexander led the receiving corps in 2015 with 302 receiving yards on 18 

receptions and 2 touchdowns.  Young, who has also been an important leader at the receiver 

position in 2015, finished with 8 catches for 260 yards and 4 touchdowns.  “They play very well 

together,” said Webster of Alexander and Young.  “Both have great hands.  Illiott can take a 

screen pass to the house and Brady can take the top off the defense.”

 

Also returning to the Cobra offense for the 2016 season is running back John Nyondweh.  “John has 

just had injury issues due to his running style,” said Webster of his running back.  “He is fast and 

shifty but will drop the shoulder in traffic. He is also an amazing blocker.”  

 

The Cobra offense looks to add new talent to help the current stars compete in 2016.  "Our goal is to be more consistent and be more balanced,” said Webster of the 2016 Cobra offense.

 

Next, the Cobra defense knows as SlaughterHouse is bringing back many popular names from last season.  Veteran linebacker Jeremy Covington looks to return as the “heartbeat” of the Cobra defense. He is a fast and ready player that continues to impress with his abilities as a defensive leader.  In 2015, Covington finished as one of the team’s leaders in tackles with 22.5 and also added 5 sacks to his 

numbers.

 

Also rejoining the Cobra defense are strong safeties Chris Bratt and Matt Birrenkott, who can play all three defensive back positions. Webster dubs these two secondary specialists as the “motor” of the defense.  In 2015, Birrenkott led the team with 30 tackles and added an interception as well as 4.5 sacks.  Bratt finished with 12 tackles and an interception before ending his season with an injury. The youngster of the crew, Brandon Martinez looks to make more progress and bust onto the scene as the future of the defense. The Cobras will hope to replace DT Sita Ripley with Louie Fernandez and Tyler Briggs. Sita made a huge impact in 2015 with 21 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks for the Cobra defense.  “He was a great leader, strong as a bull, and was an amazing teammate that always kept things calm and even keel. We will miss him.” said Webster of his veteran defensive lineman.

 

The Cobra defense adds a new member to help Covington at the linebacker position.  Chris Baker is 

Webster’s new weapon on defense.  He adds experience, strength, and intelligence to the Cobras 

as a veteran of the game.  “Our goal is to stay healthy this season so we can be as aggressive as we have been in years past. We need to get off the field on third downs,” said Webster of his goals for the 2016 Cobra defense.

 

The Utah Cobras open the 2016 RMFL regular season in Boulder, MT against the new expansion 

team, the Big Sky Avalanche on Saturday, April 2.  “Our goal is to get back to having fun and 

just being competitive,” said Webster of the 2016 Cobras.  “We had a bumpy road last year and we just want to get back to football.”