It was the first time this season the Cobras won by less than 40 points, but Cochrane’s perfect record remained intact with a 27-17 win over the Winston Churchill Bulldogs from Lethbridge in the regional semifinal game, Nov. 12.
“It was a huge effort,” said Cobras’ head coach Rob McNab. “We knew coming in that this was going to be a physical battle, and it was. We had to go into a bit of a short yardage thing and our kids stepped up. It was outstanding.”
The Cobras took a 14-0 lead late in the first half on touchdowns from Kristian Root and Jacob Grainger. Josh Toth answered back for the Bulldogs and points scored on a touchback and a safety brought the score to 14-10 for the Cobras at half.
Trent Gardiner opened the second half with two consecutive field goals to push Cochrane’s lead to 10. Root and the Bulldogs’ Keanu Funa both added last-minute touchdowns, but Cochrane held on for the win.
“Our quarterback managed the game quite well,” said McNab. “They completed a few key passes, and I think the defence really stepped up when they needed to. But I’ll give kudos to (Gardiner). He came out and popped two field goals and put us up by two scores. He’s had a rough week and I’ve been putting pressure on him in those situations.”
Root led the charge for the Cobras with his two touchdowns and will be playing in the regional finals for the first time in his high school career.
“It feels great,” said Root. “It’s my first provincial football experience and it’s great to be able to come out on top today. It was just about being more physical and getting lower than they were and putting your body out there.”
Both McNab and Root agreed the Bulldogs was their greatest challenge of the season.
“I think they’re the best team we’ve played physically,” said Root. “It makes it that much harder when you have to give 100 per cent every play and you have to make sure you hold onto the ball. They’re a good team and we just hit them harder than they hit us.”
“No question (it was our toughest game of the season),” said McNab.
“The kids from Winston Churchill are tough and without Kellen (Forrest) playing, we had to change our look a bit. It was different for us, but we’ll take the win.”
The Cobras moved on to play the Crescent Heights Vikings on Nov. 19 in Medicine Hat in the Tier III Southern final. Results were not available at press time.
‘We have to play like we did (against Winston Churchill),” said Root. “We need to be physical and play the best we can.”
