Be careful what you wish for.
Cochrane Lions offensive co-ordinator Cam Cote wanted the team to play into Calgary Bantam Football Association Tier 1 playoffs, and his players obliged with a 32-30 win over Calgary Stampeders Oct. 19.
But that set up an Oct. 26 date with the football buzz saw known as Calgary Cowboys Grey. And Cowboys Grey came as advertised, dissecting the Lions with a near-clinical performance in a 50-16 decision that ended the Lions’ season at Calgary’s Shouldice Park.
“We gave it all we had,” said Lions quarterback Tae Gordon, who graduates to the high school ranks next fall. “Their schemes were more complex than anything we’ve seen this season. We got hit pretty hard. We didn’t expect it, nothing like that.”
To that point the Lions, supposedly in a rebuilding year after former head coach Jeff Avery joined the Cochrane High School Cobras and starting QB Des Catellier also graduated to the high school ranks, had been money all season. They went 7-1 in the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs.
“Seven wins was a total surprise,” Gordon admitted. Offensive co-ordinator Cam Cote’s inventive play-calling, combined with Gordon’s off-the-hook skills, helped propel the Lions to success. But it was an all-around team effort, from the offensive and defensive lines out, that saw the Lions score three times more points than they allowed over the regular season (298-97).
“It was a really good season,” said Matt Manyguns, an offensive lineman who was also busy on the defensive line and at linebacker. “I was also looking after Tae because I want Tae to go far.”
While disappointed that his season ended against Cowboys Grey, Lions rookie head coach Paul McLean was buoyed by the overall success of the bantam Lions. He credited his position coaches for the team’s success.
“It was a great rebuilding year,” he surmised. “These players were amazing this year.
“And one of the strong points was we went out there and found some great coaches.”
Those coaches include offensive coordinator Cote, Dave Scott (defensive coordinator), Forrest Kennerd (quarterbacks), Ron Martins (receivers), Harry Kruger (defensive backs), Randy Shiman (defensive line), Jason Vincent (linebackers), Grant Rabe (offensive line), Ausy Lang (running backs) and team manager Lorraine Pickering.
