The North’s game plan seemed simple enough.
Just run the ball away from Cochrane High School Cobras defensive back Logan Blair.
It didn’t work, as the South defeated the North 31-19 in Football Alberta Senior Bowl high school football play May 20 at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.
“Yeah, it seemed like it,” Blair said of the North’s offensive plays going away from him for most of the contest. But he didn’t mind. “Our defence played really well. There are a lot of great players on the field.”
Blair, who spent most of the game running across the field to make a tackle, was joined in the South victory by Cobras coaches Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil, fellow Cobras Josh Gingrich-Hadley and Bryce McKinnon (injured ankle, didn’t play) and Springbank Phoenix receiver Kevin Natenstedt
McKinnon’s half-time assessment was simple, and predictable: “They didn’t run at Logan because they saw the red (Cobras) helmet with the “C” on it.”
While the North wore gold and yellow and the South red and white, the players wore their high-school helmets.
“We put in a lot in six practices, and for these kids to pick up that much is incredible,” said McNab following the game, soaking wet after players dumped the contents of a drink cooler on him. McNab and O’Neil both coached the South team, along with coaches selected from other schools south of Red Deer in the 24th annual North-South all-star tilt for graduating high-school players. “Both coaching staffs did a good job putting things together for the kids to showcase their abilities.”
McNab put something together for rival Kevin Natenstedt, a Springbank Phoenix receiver who hauled in a touchdown pass for the South on a nice pass from Boston Rowe of Calgary’s St. Francis. Natenstedt, a guy the Cobras were wary of in the regular season, had several key catches in the contest.
Gingrich-Hadley was also busy, blocking for Holy Trinity Academy running back Ryder Stone.
“I think I got the ball once,” Gingrich-Hadley joked about his lack of touches. “But we have so many weapons on this team, it was great.”
And he was quick to salute the North team (senior all-stars from high schools north of Red Deer) for its effort.
“There are a lot of top football players here today,” Gingrich-Hadley observed. “This was high-level competition against the best players in the province. I really enjoyed it.
“This was a great game to be a part of.”
