Cochrane High School Cobras quarterback Tae Gordon got some extra reps under centre at the Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie. Playing for Zone 2 (Big Country), the Grade 10 pivot slated to back up Cobras senior Kelton Beach guided Zone 2 to a convincing 30-0 win over Zone 7 (North East) in the Games opener. His Big Country squad was edged 18-6 in the semifinal by Zone 6 (Edmonton) before losing 48-14 to Zone 5 (Black, Gold/Yellowhead) in the bronze-medal game.
“It was kind of different just seeing defences other than practising against ours the whole time,” he cracked of finally getting a game in a Zone 2 uniform. “It was good to hit someone else.”
Gordon was busy against North East, avoiding an aggressive pass rush and spreading the ball around between his running backs and receivers. Once it was established North East was bringing the house on defence, Gordon’s Big Country offence picked up on it.
“I thought we were looking good. I think we handled our own. They brought a lot more guys than we’re used to. But I think we picked up on it,” he observed. “We were really working the screens with the pressure they were bringing. We put the plays in. The coach called the plays that worked.”
The former Cochrane Bantam Lions player, who starts his varsity football career in the fall at Cochrane High, used the Summer Games as a learning experience.
