The Cochrane Cobras’ provincial title hopes evaporated in the cold, as the team lost 23-12 to the Cardston Cougars in a Tier 3 semifinal game in Lethbridge, Nov. 20.
The Cobras turned the ball over eight times and were shut out in the first half, which was played amidst snowfall and a -25° C windchill at the University of Lethbridge’s Community Sports Stadium.
Nik Petros and Kellen Forrest had Cochrane’s two touchdowns, but it was too little, too late in the second half, said Cobras’ co-head coach Rob McNab.
“We did not want to end the season that way,” he said. “I really wanted to play next Saturday in Calgary in the provincial championship. Our kids played hard, but they took advantage of some opportunities and we didn’t.”
In addition to Cochrane’s four lost fumbles and four interceptions, Cardston recovered an onside kick during the opening kickoff.
“They coughed it up in the air and our kids stood around and looked at it,” McNab said.
“They recovered it and ran it down to our 30 on the opening play. We stopped them and they got a field goal, but it wasn’t a great start. Then, on our first play, we fumbled it and they recovered on our 15 and it just kind of went worse from there. You can’t lose the field possession battle.”
McNab said the weather was a factor in play calling.
“It was snowing and cold, but both teams had to play in it, so it didn’t affect the outcome,” he said. “We wanted to throw the ball, because they do have a tough front seven, but we couldn’t get the throwing game going until late. They played good hard football and we dug ourselves a hole – by halftime we’re down 19-0.”
On one drive, the Cobras moved the ball from their own five-yard line down to the Cougars’ 12-yard line, but lost it on third down.
“Things like that – they got a lot of breaks,” McNab said. “And the problem is the clock keeps running on all those plays. They ran the ball well and had a few opportune passes.”
Nik Petros caught a 15-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Wilton early in the second half and Kellen Forrest had a three-yard touchdown with three seconds left. McNab said he was disappointed with the loss, but is still proud of the season and is already looking forward to next year.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the season,” he said. “We only had 10 Grade 12 kids and will have six guys back on defence and nine starters back on offence next year. There’s lots of promise and I’m real optimistic.”
The Cardston Cougars will take on the Peace River Pioneers for the Tier 3 provincial title on Nov. 27. Game time is 10:30 a.m. at Shouldice Park’s Hellard Field in Calgary.
