The Bert Church Chargers tried mightily in the fourth quarter to upstage the Chestermere Cowboys during its inauguration of new stadium lights.
But a few late mistakes, as well as several in the first half, cost the Airdrie club during a 36-15 loss to the Cowboys in Chestermere on Oct. 14.
The Chargers’ loss puts the team into fourth place in the Rocky View Sports Association Tier 2 standings and sets a playoff date with the top-seeded Phoenix in Springbank on Oct. 22.
“I think our defence was very slow to start the game,” said Chargers’ head coach Andy Kirk. “We started the game with a single, and then got a couple touchdowns scored against us quickly. They were really fired up because it was the big grand opening of the stadium here, and we came out a little bit flat.”
“We just got off to a great start, as we scored on the first drive,” said Cowboys’ head coach Brian Utley. “Their first play, we intercepted, drove and scored again.”
The Cowboys scored twice in the first quarter, as quarterback Brad Taubert marked on a scramble, then threw a pass to receiver Hunter Karl. Chestermere added to its lead six minutes into the second quarter, when defensive back Andrew Killoran intercepted Charger quarterback Jacob Schaff and returned the ball 90 yards into the end zone.
“We had a couple of real nice drives towards the end of the half, but then it was either a penalty or a pick for a touchdown the other way,” Kirk said. “Mistakes on our part, but a lot of those were because they were fired up. We knew they were going to come out hard, because a lot of our guys watched them against McDougall last week.”
Bert Church rallied in the fourth quarter, as Karl Louder’s 20-yard run set up a one-yard touchdown run by Dionn Smith with six minutes left. The Chargers tried the onside kick, and recovered, but the play was called back on penalty.
Chestermere took advantage, used the shorter field and capped it with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Taubert to Jesse Seddon. The Chargers scored again on its next series, as Jahlal Pottinger ran in from 44 yards on a reverse. The onside attempt was once again called back on a penalty.
“I know we had a very average week of practice and I think that very much reflected in our play today,” Kirk said. “I think our Grade 12s are certainly starting to feel it. They know that the playoffs are here now and that at any time their season, and football careers, could be over.”
Game time for the Chargers and Phoenix Tier 2 semifinal game is at 12 p.m. in Springbank, while the Cowboys will face the George McDougall Mustangs at Genesis Place field in Airdrie at 3 p.m.
