Two weeks after a game that left people confused, angry and upset, the Rocky View Sports Association finally came down with a ruling on the Sept. 26 football game between the Cochrane Cobras and the Bow Valley Bobcats.
As per the league ruling, the game has been considered legitimate and the score will stand but the Bobcats have released a statement outlining what will happen in the future.
“After a thorough review of the Sept. 26 game between Cochrane High and Bow Valley, Rocky View Schools will be introducing new guidelines to further enhance sports within the division,” the statement said.
The game ended with six minutes left in the second quarter due to an injury to Bobcats’ defensive back Jason Tkachuk. With the Cobras up 35-0, Tkachuk was taken away in an ambulance, but was released later that night. There was some confusion as to whether the game was supposed to be a senior or junior varsity game. Some suggested there was an agreement between the school’s principals that both teams would play their junior squads.
The Cobras from the get go said the game was always supposed to be played by the senior high squads.
“The game was a varsity Rocky View game, as said by the superintendent in an email. No agreements between principals, or coaches,” Cobras co-head coach Rob McNab said.
“The game was supposed to go per normal, how a scheduled league game would go. If you start changing the compete level, there’s a problem with games.”
Bobcats head coach Cam Cote and his staff said they were happy with how the league handled the situation.
“I thought the meeting went extremely well. The (Rocky View Sports Association) board was very responsive and I think they’ll be very active,” Cote said.
“I truly believe that they have the interest of all the student athletes, and that they’ll come first and foremost and it will take some work, but I believe it will be done and make the sport better.”
Also adding to the cross-town rivalry is the fact that Bow Valley will now be playing tier three. Both Cochrane schools register under the tier, after Bow Valley school’s population increased more than 450 students.
The Bobcats and Cobras will meet on Nov. 4 in the provincial qualifying game, once the RVSA regular season and playoffs wrap up. The winner will move on to the provincial tournament, while the loser’s season will be officially over.
The provincial championship start on Nov. 11 with the regional semi final… The Cobras are currently ranked number one in tier three with a 5-0 record in league play, while Bow Valley is out of the top ten sitting at 2-3.
