Momentum.
It’s a huge factor in football. Going in the right direction at the right time can be the difference between hoisting the championship trophy or going home.
Improving in playoff wins over quality opponents, the Cochrane High School Cobras are trending up at the right time. Cochrane defeated Calgary’s Rundle College Cobras 36-10 in the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association Tier 3 South Region football final Nov. 15 in Calgary after defeating Medicine Hat’s Crescent Heights Vikings 56-3 the week before.
“They had an answer for our run game for sure,” said Rundle head coach Brent Hargreaves following Cochrane’s win over his Cobras on their turf. “And I thought, athlete for athlete, their defensive backs played a heck of a game covering our receivers.”
The most substantial, and telling, surge is coming from the trenches. Cochrane’s offensive and defensive lines have dominated the last two games.
“Our offensive line, particularly,” remarked Cochrane line coach Jim Forrest following the win at Rundle. Solid all year protecting quarterback Cody Stevens, the O-line has opened up the run game in the last two weeks. “I really like the way we’re rounding into shape.
“One of the things, the whole team not just the line, is we’ve had the two best weeks of practice all year. We’re going to try and keep that momentum going.”
This momentum following a crushing 21-17 Oct. 25 home loss to Airdrie’s George McDougall Mustangs in the Division final is exactly what Cobras co-head-coach and offensive coordinator Rob McNab wants from his team heading into the Nov. 21 Alberta Bowl Tier 3 provincial final.
“We prepared well,” McNab said of the win at Rundle. “The kids were very focussed. We had an idea what they (Rundle) were going to do and we just went at them.”
Now it’s off to the last game of the season in Lethbridge against a Whitecourt team Cochrane has little knowledge of.
“That’s what we go after, is to go after a provincial championship,” McNab surmised. “We’re going where we want to be. Now we just have to prepare this week and make sure we’re ready to go.”
Cochrane reciever Erik Nusl scored two touchdowns against Rundle. Tae Gordon, Mac Chaisson and Ethan Forrest scored Cochrane’s other TD’s with special teams earning a safety on a botched Rundle punt snap in the endzone.
Alberta Bowl
Provincial Tier 3 Football Final
No. 3 Cochrane Cobras
vs No. 2 Whitecourt Cats
Friday, Nov. 21
University of Lethbridge Stadium
7 p.m. kickoff
