The Cochrane Cobras lengthened their six-year dynasty as the Alberta Sports' Athletic Association Tier III provincial football champions to seven in Edmonton Nov. 26.
In a rock-solid defensive game by both teams, the Cobras were able to fracture the Holy Rosary Raiders line to win 15-7 in front of a cheering crowd of Cochranites at Commonwealth Stadium.
Cobras running back Shaun Clazie found a single touchdown and kicker Kylian Beaupre raked in several field goals, edging out the Raiders shot at the provincial championship for the sixth consecutive time.
Cobras co-head coach Robbie McNab said the team was excited and drained by the end.
"It was a really tight game," he said. "Every time you're in a tight game like that it takes a toll on coaches and kids. But when you win that close one, there's no better feeling."
Neither team was letting anything up in the first quarter and it wasn't until about halfway through the second that the Cobras offence and defence started to figure out how they could work together to break the Raider's seemingly impenetrable defensive line.
"We just kept slugging and kept moving the clock and getting some first downs - our defense was lights out," said McNab.
After the game, McNab's phone blew up with about 150 congratulatory text messages, he said, with many of them from former Cobras alumni who still actively keep up with the team years later.
The game marks the end of the Cobras season and for many of the Grade 12 players, their high school football careers.
McNab said it was difficult and emotional for some of the graduating players exiting the field after their last practice at Spray Lake Sawmills Legacy Field just days earlier.
"It's always tough to say goodbye," he said. "I will tell you though, we always rebound. These young kids will start in the weight room and will be doing off-season training, which is mandatory for our team. These kids, they understand that they don't only represent the team right now, they represent all teams of the past that have paved the way for them to be successful and make the culture of Cobra football - and it is quite the culture."
