The Cochrane Cobras are gearing up for next season with a strong roster of young football players to complement the more seasoned members of the squad.
“I think the Grade 9 group coming up is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time,” said Tom Knitter, an assistant coach with the University of Calgary Dinos who comes back each spring to work with the Cobras after his own years as defensive back with the provincial winning team.
Knitter tossed the pigskin around with a handful of ballers this week in advance of full training camp, which begins on Monday and runs for five days – followed by three jamboree games in Lacombe and another in Okotoks on June 17.
Head coach Rob McNab said staff will trim the team from about 65 potential players to a final roster of 50 by the time school ends at the end of the month.
The Cobras do have a few big pairs of shoes to fill, with the exodus of a handful of graduating players including longtime quarterback Tae Gordon.
On the radar for the job is current backup QB Brett Conlon – who has also been a solid defensive back for Cochrane High in the past – and Grade 9 prospect Xavier Vaillancourt, who is fresh off the Football Alberta Bantam Bowl in Edmonton, where he led the south all-star team to a 27-8 victory over the north. Cremona’s Wyatt Anderson rounds out the choices for coaching staff to consider.
“Tae is one of a kind. I don’t know if you’re ever going to be able to replace him and his ability to lead,” said Knitter.
“There’s three kids that’ll throw the ball this spring and we’ll see,” added McNab. “Our challenge this year will be finding that starting quarterback, and our young O and D line.”
Both coaches said next year’s receiving core is encouraging, including Jack Tocher, who will represent Alberta in the upcoming U18 Football Canada Cup this summer in Nova Scotia, and player Dawson Laye – who impressed Knitter at Monday’s practice.
“He has the ability to catch anything that’s within his frame,” he said of Laye.
“There’s just something in him that he just wants to achieve greatness,” echoed McNab. “He just wants to do well and he just loves it, too.”
