The George McDougall Mustangs let their emotions get the best of them last weekend as they watched their play-off dreams get crushed by the mighty Cochrane Cobras football team.
Saturday afternoon’s Rockyview School Division A play-off game saw the two teams square off under a bright sky at Legacy Field.
The score was only close at zero before the Cobras began pulling away.
By the second half, when the divide had stretched to a difficult 39-0, Mustang players started to shout and holler in hopes of pumping up their teammates – while others swore on the sidelines about how their team needs to make better plays.
The outbursts injected some energy into George McDougall and they rallied for one exciting touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. After four quarters, the game ended with a 63-7 win for the Cobras – as well as advancement into Saturday’s Division A championship.
“They’re a very emotional team,” said Cobras player Jackson McLean after the game. “As a player, you have to learn to tune it out.”
Cobras coach Rob McNab was proud his players were able to work out some kinks in practice last week to dominate on the field in the semis.
“We’re one more step closer to where we’re going,” said McNab, referencing the provincial finals – the holy grail of high school football – at the end of November. “We’ve got to stay focused. We have to get better because our opponents are better.”
The game was made all the more exciting for the Cobras when Alberta football royalty John Hufnagel – the Calgary Stampeders’ president and general manager (and former head coach) – surprised the team with a visit. He sat on the Cochrane bench for the first half of the game, and even addressed players at the half.
“They listened intently to what he said,” said McNab, adding Hufnagel is friends with Cobras coach Tom Forzani. “John commands respect wherever he goes.”
The Cobras take on the Springbank Phoenix in the Division A championship game on Saturday. Kick-off is at noon.
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