It may not have been the team result he was looking for, but Cochrane running back Kellen Forrest still made quite the impact at the recent U-18 Canada Cup national football championships in Lethbridge.
The soon-to-be Grade 12 Cochrane High student was on Team Alberta, who made it to the championship game before succumbing to Team Quebec 28-2 at the University of Lethbridge Community Sports Stadium on July 15.
But Forrest, who had 70 yards rushing in the final, earned a significant accomplishment when he was named to the tournament all-star team.
“To be named to the all-tournament team was a little bit unexpected, but it’s a tremendous honour,” he said. “To be named as one of the top two running backs in the country, at my age, is an amazing feat.”
Forrest started the final with a 45-yard rush on the opening play of the game, but Alberta wasn’t able to generate any further momentum. And when Quebec began to alter its defence and opened a big lead, it forced the host province to rely on the passing game.
“Our offence couldn’t really move the ball,” Forrest said. “In the second half especially, we primarily passed the ball – which I was OK with, as I just pass blocked because I know we needed to do it if we had any chance of winning.
“But it was a closer game than the score indicated. They just had some big plays early and I think we got down on ourselves. Quebec was a great team and I don’t know that, even if we played our best game, we could have beaten them. It was a tremendous game and they deserved it.”
After defeating defending national champions Saskatchewan 52-19 in the opening round, where Forrest had more than 100 yards rushing and was named offensive player of the game, Team Alberta beat Ontario West 24-8 in the July 12 semi-final to reach the championship game.
Forrest said even with a short tournament, and a brief time together, the Alberta team was able to develop a sense of camaraderie thanks to several pre-tournament practices and exhibition games.
“It was good for bonding and getting to know each other,” he said.
“I think that really helped going into this tournament. And, being from the host province, the stands were almost all full for pretty much all of our games. The facility was amazing, the stadium was one of the best I’ve ever played at and the atmosphere was unbelievable there.”
In addition to the local support, players were also there to display their talents to university scouts from across the country.
“There was a day for us to go and talk to scouts, and some came up to talk to me, so things for university are looking good,” Forrest said. “Hopefully, I can have a great Grade 12 year and get some more opportunities. It really was an amazing experience. The level of play down there was like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and to do as well as we did really exemplifies the talent level in Alberta for football. To get second in the whole country in football is amazing.”
Forrest will begin his practice sessions with the Cochrane Cobras football team on Aug. 22, before opening the Rocky View Sports Association schedule against the Bow Valley Bobcats on Sept. 9.
