Not content to just defeat the Calgary Stampeders, the Cochrane Lions first had to beat back their mistakes en route to Calgary Bantam Football Association (CBFA) Tier 1 playoff play.
Acute cases of fumble-itis and the dropsies nearly cost them a Tier 1 spot in the seeding round of CBFA playoffs Oct. 19 at Calgary’s Shouldice Park. They had to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit to edge the Stamps 32-30.
“It was a hard fought game for all the team,” said head coach Paul McLean. “The offensive line held back some tough defenders to allow the receivers to make the plays. Sometime that group of 5 (Cody Pickering, Matt Manyguns, Ben Gofton, Haydan Mallon and Anthony Popescue; for this game) does not get enough mention about their efforts.
“Without them the game could go in a different direction.”
Preston Kennerd, Zach Rabe, Chris Mears and Kane Boklaschuk got the Lions scores with Jacob Toye kicking all four two-point converts.
Lions offensive coordinator Cam Cote was actually pleased his team was behind at the half.
“What I liked is that we were behind. They think I’m nuts,” Cote said of his players’ reaction. “They think their coach should be in the looney bin, because I told them at half time I love it. I love that we’re losing. They’re thinking ‘Are you nuts?’
“This is what builds a championship team. Championship teams come from behind at the half to win the game. That builds character.”
The Lions are taking that character straight to a Tier 1 semifinal showdown with last year’s city-champion Calgary Cowboys Grey. Cote admits he’s had Cowboys Grey on the radar for a while.
“We have been game-planning for Grey for two weeks now,” he said. “We have a whole new package in for Grey.
“We wanted a couple of weeks. I didn’t think we could get the package in in a week. Quite honestly, it looks really good. In practice we look really good. I’m excited about playing Grey and seeing what we can do.”
The Lions take on the defending city champions Oct. 26 at Calgary’s Shouldice Park, Hellard Field, 1 p.m. kickoff.
