The Cochrane Cobras are shaking off the rust in preparation for their season opening football game against the Springbank Phoenix on Sept. 8 as the team took on Paul Kane High School in a controlled scrimmage on Sept. 1. The scrimmage with the Blues who are based out of St. Albert, was a jamboree style format where no score was kept and there were 10-minute periods for each team's offence and defence to take what they've learned in practice over to a game situation. "It was good, both offence and defence played well and I definitely think it was a good learning experience for us as a team heading into the new season," said Cobras starting quarterback Xavier Vaillancourt. "It was really nice for us to get up to speed in real game situations and is obviously good to have this action before the regular season begins." Vaillancourt said he was happy with the overall play from his team during the game and hopes to take that momentum into the regular season. "I think we're pretty sharp already. I can't speak for the other positions but I just need to sharpen up my footwork a little and try not to force the ball in any spots where it shouldn't go," the star quarterback said of his personal performance. "I made a couple mistakes but they're pretty easy to fix, so I'm going to make sure I do that in order to be ready for Springbank." The Cobras dominated last season, going undefeated throughout the Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) regular season with a 6-0 record, as well as winning all four Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) Provincial games including the provincial title game against the Raiders. In those 10 games, the Cobras outscored their opponents by an astounding margin of 414-53, where Cochrane High averaged 41 points per game while never giving up more than 14 points en route to the team’s fourth straight provincial championship. Cochrane High also currently has a win streak of 37 games, two short of tying the record set by Raymond High School back in the early 2000s, a record they’ll be looking to break in the early portion of the season. Vaillancourt expects a battle with the Phoenix in Week 1 but also believes an early test in the season can bode well for his team moving forward into the remainder of the season. "I know they have two very good defensive linemen as well as a good linebacker that I played with on Team Alberta. With that being said, I think we will be able to pass on them with the quick game as well as over the top with the deep ball if we have protection," Vaillancourt said. "If we keep our minds in the right positions and do our jobs, we'll be in a good position to win." Kickoff for the Cobras season opener will take place at noon up at Spray Lake Sawmills Legacy Field.
