The Cochrane High School Cobras finished the Rocky View Sports Association regular-season undefeated, delivering an all-conquering performance in a 64-7 victory over cross-town rivals Bow Valley Bobcats on Oct. 17.
Co-head coach and offensive coordinator Rob McNab was pleased with his team’s performance on a day when conditions were perfect for football at the team’s, “Think Pink” game, which raised $580 for cancer research.
“We just went out and did our thing. It worked in our favour,” McNab said. “Bow Valley’s got a young team and we’ve a got pretty veteran one.
“We prepared well, and had a good week of practice.”
Cobras came out guns blazing early in the game, with a touchdown from running back Cole Avery before further TDs from slotback Erik Nusl (two), and linebacker Ethan Forrest gave Cobras a 35-0 lead at the half.
In the second-half, Cobras stepped on the gas, with quarterback Tae Gordon running a TD in from 12-yards and defensive back Kael Kelly intercepting a Bobcats pass for a 25-yard return.
From there, Cobras running back Thomas Campbell and Nusl (with his third TD of the game) rounded off the scoring for the home side, with Bobcats’ Kole Martin scoring the away team’s solitary TD.
“[Cobras] are a good team, and they’re ranked pretty high in Tier 3,” said Bobcats defensive coordinator Dean Lang. “We’re a small team, and we had a lot of guys injured, but I’m very proud of our guys for showing up and putting in the effort that they did. They didn’t back down.”
Bobcats starting quarterback Simon Vincent was injured and in his place stepped up sophomore Austin Javorsky.
“We had a Grade 10 playing quarterback, but we thought he did well,” Lang said of the second-string QB.
Cobras, the reigning Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association Tier 3 high school provincial champions have made a statement this season (8-0 including pre-season games), and McNab believes this team has as good of a shot at a provincial title as any past Cochrane High team.
“This is a very talented team, no question,” McNab said. “As long as we stay away from injuries and continue to prepare for our opponents we will be okay. Preparation is the key.
“Everyone’s got good athletes, but you have to prepare well, and we do our homework. Our players also work hard in the off-season, this is a year-round thing for us.”
Tier 3 play-offs begin this weekend, as Bobcats travel to Chestermere Oct. 23, kick-off is 4:30 p.m. Cobras host Springbank at home on Oct. 24, kick-off is 12 p.m.
