Arena Football : Cobras Defeat Bruisers, Clinch Spot in Playoffs

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Matt Stevens threw five touchdown passes to lead the Los Angeles Cobras to a 48-20 win over the previously undefeated Chicago Bruisers in an Arena Football game Saturday night before 9,868 fans at the Rosemont Horizon.

With the victory, Los Angeles (5-6) clinched a playoff spot and ended first-place Chicago’s 10-game winning streak. The Cobras will play the Bruisers in the regular-season finale Thursday night at the Sports Arena.

The Cobras scored on every possession of the first half. Stevens hit Wade Lockett for a 35-yard touchdown and Gary Mullen for a 6-yard score to put the Cobras ahead, 18-6, in the second quarter.

Stevens completed 22 of 39 passes for 262 yards with no interceptions, while Chicago quarterback Ben Bennett completed 9 of 29 passes for 150 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception.

“We’re happy now,” Stevens said, “but our ultimate goal is still the ArenaBowl. Chicago is an awfully big hurdle. We know they’re a good team, and we have a great deal of respect for them. But we feel we have a lot of talent, too, and are capable of playing with anybody.”