The Cochrane High Cobras have won the Tier 3 provincial championship the last three seasons in a row, and are looking to make it four.
However, according to Cobras coach Ken Polson, the team doesn’t look at it that way, instead they’re just trying to keep the winning mentality that has been so successful for them in prior years.
“Every year we just go from scratch and our goal is the same every year. We want to win that last game of the season (provincial final) and that hasn’t changed since I’ve been here.” Polson said. “We let the kids know that’s our goal, we want to win every game and be super competitive. When we practise, we try to be as competitive as possible and that’s the deal.
“Four in a row? You know what? That’s not even in our minds because we want to win a provincial title. If we hadn’t won in four years, or we’ve won six in a row, the mindset would be the same for us.”
Cochrane High lost some key Grade 12s last season, such as quarterback Tae Gordon, receiver Zach Rabe and defensive lineman Dylan Gingrich-Hadley, but the Cobras have high expectations every year for the new Grade 12s.
Running back/linebacker Jackson McLean, receivers Jack Tocher and Dawson Laye, as well as quarterback Brett Conlon will all be leaned on heavily this year by the Cobras to not only lead the team on the field, but off the field as well.
“The Grade 12s will take on the mantle and the responsibility of being the leadership of our team.” Polson said. “We coach them hard, and we give them a workout plan in the offseason. The kids workout, they buy into it, they go hard and they want to excel, which is why we continually move along and how we sustain success.”
Polson says another strength Cochrane High has is the team should be very athletic and the mentality is to play fast, something that the coaching staff has instilled into their players.
“So speed is a big deal. When the offence is on the field, everything happens fast. When the defence is on the field, when you hear the whistle blow, there should be 12 of us around the ball. It’s the speed and intensity that we play the game would be the biggest thing teams would notice from us, and it’s something that makes us good.”
The Cobras will start their bid to win their league once again, while also looking to add a fourth consecutive provincial banner to their trophy case this season.
It all starts when they’re in Springbank to play the Phoenix on Sept. 8 at Springbank Park.
