Four Cochrane High School Cobras are a camp away from joining the ranks of Team Alberta in the U18 and U17 divisions.
Quarterback Xavier Vaillancourt, receiver Dawson Gladue, defensive back Benjamin Dobson and defensive lineman Jude Wilkinson will each try to crack the final lineup in Calgary at McMahom Stadium this April.
Both Vaillancourt and Gladue have played on the Alberta team in the past while Dobson, who is the lone player trying for the U17 squad, and Wilkinson are looking to make the final team for the first time.
Wilkinson, who didn't make it beyond the first selection camp last year is stoked to be making a push for the final lineup and said he has done a lot of work to earn his place.
"I feel like I have improved quite a bit," he said, adding he has focused on boosting his speed, a necessity considering he is one of the smaller lineman in the running.
At just shy of six-feet and weighing in at 240 pounds, Wilkinson said he has to work a bit harder to stand out against guys measuring two to three inches taller and 30 pounds heavier.
"I used to be a boxer before football and so I've always been a bit more gifted at getting people's hands out of the way," said Wilkinson.
If successful the U18 players will compete at the Football Canada Cup in Kingston, Ont., this July.
Cobras Rob McNab said having four players vying for the final selection is a testament to the strength of the Cobras program, which has broken several league records, including most consecutive provincial wins and most consecutive game wins.
He credits that success to work ethic and buy-in from the players who are already in the weight room preparing for the upcoming season. The grit is important and what has set Cobra players apart in competition.
"It's tough, there are some good athletes playing football now," McNab said of the competition.
Vaillancourt, who played with Team Alberta last year o the U17 squad, has a good shot at cracking the final U18 roster, according to McNab.
The Grade 10 quarterback, who is moving into Grade 11, stepped in to lead the Cobras to a provincial victory this year and McNab said his ability to throw the ball and activate the entire offense makes him an exciting player to watch. That skill has also drawn the attention of NCAA Division 1 scouts.
Vaillancourt attributes that success to his drive to continuously improve. He said he doesn't rest during the off season and instead uses the time to stay strong and work on his arm strength.
That dedication helps him standout when competing against the best Alberta has to offer.
"I think what helps me stand out is my size and my arm strength being able to make all the throws and my quick reads," he said.
Dobson, who won a bronze medal in the Alberta Summer Games with the Zone team, if successful will get the chance to play in Maui against Hawaiian high school teams.
Just do it
While his players vie for fame, McNab is also generating attention of his own. The coach of one of the winningest high school teams in the province will be speaking at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic this spring.
The consistency and success of the Cobras program earned him the invite as well as the versatile style of play that allows the Cobras to pile up the points.
"People want to know what we do at a small school like this to compete against the bigger schools," said McNab of what earned him the prestigious speaking engagement.
While he said it's "cool" to see his profile on the speaker list for the event, he remains humble about it adding he just happens to be the guy at the head of a program that owes much of its success to everyone involved.
