To understand how far along Cochrane High School Cobras football team is before the season starts, you need only talk to a coach.
When asked what was left for Cobras to do prior to regular-season kickoff, receivers coach Bill Smith answered: “Execution.”
As other Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) schools continue to tweak rosters and playbooks, Cobras are focussing solely on their on-field play. All the players are in uniform at their positions and all the plays are in place. And it looks good for the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association defending Tier 3 provincial champs, if their Aug. 29 exhibition win over visiting Central Catholic Cougars is any indication.
The 40-22 final was a textbook outing for the Cobras on their home field in their first contest to open the 2015 fall football season, even if coaches insist there was room for improvement.
“We’ll break down the film after this one, and the kids will have a really good lesson this week on where they should be,” said Bill Smith, a Cobras coach who works with receivers and in the spotting booth during games. “It just makes all the difference.”
With Cody Stevens gone to graduation, it’s Grade 11 Tae Gordon’s turn to run the Cobras offence at quarterback this season. With targets like receivers Spencer Marchand, Erik Nusl and Evan Perrault, and running backs like Ethan Forrest, Cole Avery and Thomas Campbell, he has plenty of options. And options are good, as long as he gets some protection.
“The O-line looks great,” Smith said. “If we can coach them up well, they’ll do really well. And these guys are good at coaching.”
With co-head-coaches Rob McNab (offence), Bruce O’Neil (defence) and position coaches like Jim Forrest (line), Seth Henderson (line), Jeff Avery (defensive backs) and Ken Polson (linebackers) on the sidelines, there’s no shortage of direction. It’s why Cobras are already down to the on-field basics before the season has begun.
“As we typically do, fundamentals,” coach Smith said of Cobras pre-season focus. “Catching, blocking, ball security and where you’re supposed to be on each and every play. And that’s what makes this program so successful, is the emphasis on fundamentals all the time.”
“Plus, it’s a fun offence to watch play and it’s a fun defence to watch play.”
With the Aug. 29 exhibition over Lethbridge’s Catholic Central in the books, all that’s left to do is dissect the game to prepare for the next.
“We’ll break down the film after this one, and the kids will have a really good lesson this week on where they should be,” Smith said. “And it just makes all the difference.”
Next up for Cobras, and all RVSA teams, is the RVSA pre-season football jamboree Sept. 4 at Spray Lake Sawmills Legacy Field, 3 p.m. kickoff.
