The Cochrane Lions took their 8-0 regular-season record, and high hopes, into the Calgary Bantam Football Association (CBFA) playoffs. But their high hopes crashed head-long into foul weather and an even more foul foe in the Calgary Stampeders.
The result was a 15-9 overtime loss to the Stamps Oct. 20 at Calgary’s Shouldice Park.
The Lions’ disappointment was as obvious as the north-wind-driven snow swirling around the field throughout the game. Weather was the wildcard. And quarterback Des Catellier’s go-to target, wideout Evan Perrault, was playing with a broken finger suffered last week against these same Stampeders.
“It was hard today because I could barely put my hand around the ball,” said Catellier, whose rose-coloured hands told the tale of the chill in the game-time air. “We couldn’t throw as much.”
But it was Perrault scoring Cochrane’s only touchdown on a 70-yard, pass-and-run play that looked strikingly similar to one of his three TDs Oct. 13 against the Stamps.
“It was harder to catch, especially with all the snow,” Perrault said. “But you’ve still got to try your best.”
Add a Catellier field goal, and the Lions were up 9-0 late in the first half. But a fumble with less than two minutes remaining in the half cost them, as the Stamps hooked up on a 35-yard pass-and-run play to close the gap to 9-6 at the break. The Stamps kicked a third-quarter field goal to tie it 9-9.
In overtime – a Canadian Football League-style mini-game where teams take turns scrimmaging from the 35-yard line – the Lions were unable to score on their first possession, opening the door for Donovan Sladek’s 25-yard TD run for the win. Lions head coach Jeff Avery wasn’t letting his guys hand their heads, though. They’re still in the hunt for the CBFA’s Division 2 title.
“We’ll learn from this. It was a hard-fought battle,” the Cochrane coach said. “I give the Stampeders a lot of credit. They had to play in these rough conditions the same as we did.”
The Lions open their quest for the CBFA Division 2 title Oct. 27 against the Calgary Storm at Calgary’s Shouldice Park, 9 a.m. kickoff.
Four Cochrane Lions have been selected to try out for the CBFA’s Select team. Quarterback Des Catellier, defensive back Ethan Forrest and receivers Cole Avery and Evan Perrault will all get a chance to join the Select team which travels to St. Louis, MO, to play in the Pilgrim Bowl next month.
“This is the first time the Lions have ever had four guys chosen to go to the Select team,” proud Lions head coach Jeff Avery said.
“It’s a great honour. It was one of my goals at the start of the year,” said Catellier.
Forrest, one of the captains on defence, was a go-to guy all season in the Lions defensive backfield.
“It’s a great honour,” he said of being chosen to try out for the selects.
Avery, a sure-handed receiver, echoed Forrest’s sentiments, saying he was honoured to be chosen. Perrault was Cochrane’s big-play receiver all season, hauling in highlight-reel passes all season.
