Local Sports

The Cochrane High Cobras football team has cracked the top 10 in their first week of play in the 4A division.

The division is made up of schools with student populations of 800 to 1,399. The Cobras were ranked eighth by Football Alberta after defeating the Chestermere Lakers 41-7.

Last year, the Cobras competed in the 3A division and advanced to the provincial championship game against their longtime rivals, the Holy Rosary Raiders. The Raiders are currently ranked No. 1 among 3A schools.

It’s been a banner year for a group of Bow Valley Rugby Club players teaming up with the Calgary Saracens.

The U16 girls Sizzlies soundly defeated St. Albert in the final to claim provincial championship honours.

Ty Hawes, who helped coach the team in the absence of head coach Kate Kimbrell—who was attending the Women’s World Rugby Championship in England—says St. Albert scored first, but the Sizzlies soon took control. 

The Estevan Mermaids welcomed newcomers to the pool this week with their annual Try It Night, giving local youth a chance to experience the sport of artistic swimming.

Head coach and Southeast Connections Winter Games team manager, Amber Mantei, said the evening was about sparking interest in a supportive environment.

Estevan Elecs head coach Paul Duncan recently led his team in a memorable exhibition match at Mosaic Stadium against the Sheldon Williams Collegiate Spartans. The game was a valuable opportunity for the Elecs to get their grade nine players acclimated to competitive play at a prestigious venue.

Hudson Darby is coming home.

The Swift Current Broncos have acquired the 18-year-old forward from the Portland Winterhawks for recent U.S. draft pick Easton Dozark.

“We are excited to add Hudson to our organization,” said Broncos General Manager Chad Leslie in a media release. “We feel he will be a tremendous addition to our young group. He competes, has high-end character, and will help provide leadership and culture to the young core we are building. We are happy to welcome him back home.”

The Red Deer Rebels have finalized their 2025-26 WHL preseason roster following training camp and Tuesday night’s Black and White Game at the Marchant Crane Centrium.

The team will open the preseason with 32 players, including 17 forwards, 12 defencemen and three goaltenders. Forward Noah Milford (’08) and defenceman Matej Mikes (’07) will miss preseason play due to injury.

The NFL’s Way to Play program is back for a fifth season, rewarding Canadian high school and CEGEP football programs with equipment grants.

Players or supporters are invited to submit video clips highlighting proper technique — from tackling and blocking to footwork, discipline or vision. Each week through Nov. 10, one play will be selected and featured on TSN.ca and during NFL broadcasts on CTV, with the winner’s school receiving a $3,000 grant through Football Canada.

There’s a fresh energy around the Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) football program this fall as the Mohawks prepare to launch into their 2025 campaign on Thursday.

With a younger roster and a competitive mindset already in place, Head Coach Eric Anderson is confident his team is ready to make some noise this season.

“This is the best attendance we’ve had at practice in a while,” said Anderson. “Everyone’s been showing up. No one’s missing. That’s a great sign early on.”

They went from first to worst.  One season after winning a Western Hockey League championship, the Moose Jaw Warriors registered just 15 wins in 68 games last year. Head Coach Mark O'Leary is optimistic heading into the 2025-26 season, saying that his team has "turned the page."

The Warriors open up their pre-season schedule against the Broncos in Swift Current tomorrow night and they'll host the Broncos Saturday night at Assiniboia's Southland CO-OP Centre.

With the first day of school out of the way, the high school football season officially starts today around West Central.

Related Stories:

• Pre-season preparations underway for high school football
• SHSAA website

There are four games active in local conferences on Thursday, all starting at 4:00 PM.