COCHRANE COBRAS
Although the Cochrane Cobras aren’t scheduled to play again until Sept. 23 when they square off against the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers, that didn’t stop the team from partaking in an exhibition game, playing American style rules against a team from a different province.
The Cobras took a team-bonding trip to Seattle, stopping in Vernon along the way to take on the Vernon Secondary School Panthers. Cochrane High took a very close game, 28-24. Co-head coach Rob McNab said playing a team such as Vernon was a great test for his team early on in the season.
“We won a very close, very physical game against a good opponent,” McNab said.
“I think they’re ranked third in the province and made it to the provincial finals last year, so it was a good test for us.”
The team continued along to Seattle, where they had a number of team building activities such as going to an American high school as well as college football game, where McNab said it was nice to see his players interact with one another.
“The whole trip was great. It was cool to see all the guys hanging out with each other, regardless of the grade.”
The Cobras will now have four games in the next 12 days, starting Sept. 23 against Croxford, and Sept. 26 against their rivals from Bow Valley.
“We haven’t played either of these teams in a year,” McNab said.
“We’ll see what happens, it’s always fun when you play your cross-town rivals, so we’ll just prepare like we’re playing the Dallas Cowboys and away we go.”
BOW VALLEY BOBCATS
The Bow Valley Bobcats had a pair of tough games on Sept. 14 against W.H. Croxford and Sept. 19 when they took on the George McDougall Mustangs.
The Bobcats hosted W.H. Croxford and came away with a very close 7-4 victory. It was a defensive battle all game long, as the Cavaliers led the game 2-0 until the fourth quarter when the Bobcats were finally able to find the end zone on a boot leg scramble from quarterback Austin Javorsky.
“I saw the linebacker key on the fullback who was getting the ball, so I pulled it away and headed for the corner, which I knew I could make because I pride myself on speed and I knew I was faster than anyone else.” Javorsky said.
Bow Valley’s next game was five days later when they travelled to Airdrie to tangle with the Mustangs. The game didn’t fall in favour of the Bobcats, as the Mustangs took the game 16-6.
“We just didn’t play well. It was close, but it just wasn’t our night.” Bobcats coach Cam Cote said.
The team has only registered 13 points in two games, but Cote says its early in the season and he has faith his team will figure out their offensive struggles.
“We’re running a complicated offence, and it requires some timing. It’s coming along; it just takes some time for the players to get it,” Cote said.
They’re working really hard, and because of that hard work the results will come.”
The Bobcats’ next game is on Sept. 26 against Cochrane High, which will be a good measuring stick for the team to see where they’re at in the league.
“They’re the reigning provincial champions for a reason. They have a great program over there and are the class of our league,” Cote said.
“We didn’t play them last year, but it should be a good game, and one that will tell us a lot about ourselves.”
