The Cochrane Cobras football team is fired up to host the RVS championship game after completely dominating the Bert Church Chargers in a 41-0 win under the Friday Night Lights, Oct. 18.
The Cobras took a commanding 34-0 lead into the second half and added a final touchdown with a four-play drive from deep in their end.
The Cobras received a wake-up call two games into the season when they lost to the Chargers 25-22. They've been perfect since, capping off the regular season with a 9-6 defensive battle with the George McDougall Mustangs, the league's two-time defending champions.
All three components of their game were firing on all eight, is peaking at the right time for playoffs and upcoming provincials run. It was a breakthrough night for the Cobras offense, who put up more points than any other game this season. The defence continued to be stingy, particularly in the red zone, and special teams forced the Chargers to start most of their drives deep in their zone.
Cobras head coach Tom Knitter says he's proud of how the team prepared and executed the game plan. It provided some redemption for the first loss to the Chargers in well over a decade.
"This is one that we wanted in the semifinals," says Knitter. "With the way that we executed in Week Two compared to how we executed tonight, I'm just proud of our guys and how they did."
It was the first shutout for the Cobras this season.
"Our defence is starting to prepare and play with some intensity," says Head coach Knitter. "Last week, we had three goal-line stops in a row, and this week we answered the bell again. I'm very proud of our team and how we played."
The Cobras young pivot, grade 10 student Joe Stevenson, and his receiving corps were on fire.
"I think our offense prepared this week with intent," says Knitter, "and I'm happy with the way that they executed tonight."
"Each week is a stepping-stone and we're climbing a run up the ladder," says Knitter. "I'm just impressed with the way [Stevenson] is preparing and competing right now."
QB Stevenson salutes his o-line and receivers.
"We've been striving for a game filled with lots of points and our offense was just clicking on all cylinders, so it was awesome,"
It was wide receiver Desmond Williams who hauled in a 40-yard pass from Stevenson for the fourth-quarter touchdown.
"I think we thrived in all aspects of the game," says Williams, who scored one of the Cobras' touchdowns. "I believe there's always room for improvement and I think we'll be even better next week."
Rowan Hunt, who also had a touchdown, says redemption was sweet against the Chargers when it counted the most.
"It was great to come out here and win," he says. "We worked hard all week, put in the hours, and it really showed."
It won't be known until later this afternoon who they'll meet in the final, but it's likely a rematch with the Mustangs, who suffered their only loss of the season at the hands of the Cobras.
The day and time of the championship game is TBA. When it does occur, a packed house of the Cobra faithful and Cochrane football fans is expected.
