The format of the ASAA high school provincial playoffs may have shifted each of the last three years but what hasn't changed is the consistent threat of the Cochrane Cobras.
The Cochrane Cobras now are preparing to host another Cobras team from Claresholm in the 3A south final and are determined to once again advance to the provincials.
Kick-off is 1 p.m. at the Cochrane Cobras turf.
On Nov. 10, Cochrane engineered a convincing 41-13 win against the Taber Rebels in a south semifinal game on home turf.
The Cobras struck first, but the Rebels tied it up by the end of the first quarter. After defense adjustments, the Rebels were mute on the scoreboard until a touchdown late in the fourth after the Cobras rested many of their starters.
Grade 10 quarterback Joe Stevenson passed an impressive 300 yards and Tyler Clazie, one of his favourite targets, scored the Cobras first two touchdowns.
Stevenson considers the first touchdown one of the highlights of the game.
"We did a play action pass and Tyler Clazie was open. I got it to him, and he got us into the red zone immediately."
Besides Clazie, touchdowns were made by Mason Fischer-Lynn, Desmond Williams, and Rowen Hunt. Kicker Sean Llewellyn had two field goals, including a 42-yarder, and was perfect on his conversions.
"I thought our team did very well today," says Williams, a grade 11 receiver. "I believe that we could always get better. There's always room for improvement."
Cobras head coach Tom Knitter says early adjustments were required.
"I was happy with our guys and the way that we responded to some adversity in the second quarter. We didn't execute an on-side kick, didn't execute on a punt fake, we were left in some tough positions, and I thought our guys did a great job in responding."
He says it as the first time he's had to prepare for a wing-T offense that is run heavy and misdirection based.
"We made a quick adjustment after the second drive based on some inside run looks, and we were able to recover. It was an exciting day."
"Taber came out and they ran the ball very effectively and there's a reason why they've gotten this far," says Knitter. "They're a well-coached team."
Grade 12 linebacker Bennett Fauth is a veteran member of their defence.
"I think we started a little slow, but we got a gig momentum switch on a forced fumble. We got the ball back in the hands of the offense's hand and kind of dominated from there on out with lots of pressure on their o-line and not giving them many opportunities to make plays."
He looks forward to playing the game on their home field, something they didn't get to do last year in the south final they won against HTA.
"You know, the family, the fans and everything, it's great."
Rebels head coach Jason Jensen says Taber has been adjusted to the ASAA realignment and have typically played 4A (smaller high school) ball and somehow got thrusted up into tier 3.
Still, what an incredible season they put together, losing only one game.
"Other than that, we went undefeated against 3A teams. We won our league division, and came up a little short in the zone final. All in all, it was a fantastic year. This isn't the way you want it to end but I can't complain too much."
The Rebels relied heavy upon its running game, anchored by running back John Van Uden.
"He's all heart and soul," says Jensen. "I don't know if I've ever coached a player that's quite driven like that. His whole life, even this year, he's told he's too small, he's too slow, he doesn't do this right, he doesn't do that right and I always say he just gets it done. He may not have anything of those things, but he finds a way to get it done because he's a football player."
Jensen says they were looking for a different result today but knew what they were up against.
"Watching their defensive back field flow is a thing of beauty so we knew we were in for it. Having an electric passing game is something that's tough to keep up with, especially once our bench started to get a bit shorter.
Carsen Becker, their best defensive back, was taken of the field by ambulance with 2.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
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Football Alberta says it's no surprise to see Cochrane in the running.
"They remain the most successful program in the history of provincials - pound for pound - winning 18 titles over the years since 1985 and look poised to take a shot at #19," it states in a news release.
On Nov. 10, the Willow Creek (Clareholm) Cobras defeated the Bow Valley Bobcats, 34-22, to punch their ticket into the final. After a slow start, it was Willow Creek's sixth straight win.
Cochrane Cobras receiver Williams, for one, is looking forward to this Saturday's game against Willow Creek.
"It's going to be super fun," says Williams. "They'll be good competition for us. It will show what our team is really capable of doing."
Coach Knitter says it's always a bonus to still be playing at this time of the year.
It's something all teams strive for, and the Cobras have done so well, year-after-year.
"Willow Creek has a storied program and I'm excited to be facing them."
