A dynasty unmatched in Alberta high school football

Seven straight championships, 14 in the last 19 seasons, and a total of 18 since 1996.

Season in, season out, the Cochrane High Cobras have been a threat on the field. They've created one of the best football cultures in the province, no matter the tier.

Co-head coach Rob McNabb has played a key role in developing the dynasty since being recruited over 30 years ago by Bruce O'Neil.

Winning seven straight didn't come easy. He says all but one against the Holy Rosary Raiders over the last six years could have gone either way.

"We're a tier III school, and we don't intend to be anything else," says McNabb. "We've been winning tight, tight provincial championship games for years. I think we're in the right spot. For any team in any tier to accomplish that run would be difficult because football is very good in this province."

"I'm proud of the kids, especially after COVID and everything that's gone on. The game was exciting, and our fans were fantastic. It just ended beautifully."

McNabb praises the game plan of defensive coordinator Tom Knitter and his coaches.

"Limiting them to 122 yards is quite impressive. Our defensive coaches put together a fantastic game plan and allowed us to chip away on offense."

He said they were able to stop the run, place the Raiders in a passing situation, then mixed up some coverages in hopes of confusing their quarterback. it worked.

Kylian Beaupre succeeded on two of four field goal attempts, the last coming late in the game.

McNabb says field goals don't typically play a large role in high school football, but it did this time.

"For us to line up four times says something about their defense, but it says something about our confidence. We missed a couple, but we got one really late in the fourth quarter that put them in a bind."

"Without that field goal, we would have been in a battle."

Beaupre's return to the game is a story in itself. An accident in February left the receiver with an L3 injury that put this football season in question.

"I couldn't play contact for the first part of the season, and I still wanted to be part of the team, so I tried out for kicker, and it worked out pretty well," says Beaupre.

Only taking up football in grade 10, and seeing only limited field time that year, he was determined to enjoy his last crack at high school football.

"It felt good to be the kicker. I really wanted to be a bigger part of the team. All I wanted through my Cobra career was to have the opportunity to play, especially after a terrible year."

He credits lineman Jacob Patterson for helping him stay calm and focus on his field goal attempts.

"I didn't even realize until after the game that it was a really meaningful kick."

"Everyone had a big part of it throughout the whole game, and that's how we won in the end."

Pressed to score a touchdown, a Raiders pass was intercepted by grade 10 Cobra Hudson Halldon to allow the Cobras to take a knee to run out the clock.

"I was so excited for him," says McNabb. "He laid out for that one, too, and wow, what a great catch."

Shaun Clazie, who scored the Cobras' lone touchdown, has shone all year, and it was no different in this game.

"Shaun Clazie was incredible that day. I can't say enough about him," says McNabb.

There may have only been one touchdown but the Cobras racked up 21 first downs, compared to 10 by the Raiders.

"Ethan (Pickard) was throwing the ball well and getting first downs. As long as we have the ball in our hands, they can't score, so I thought we did a good job because they only had given up seven points all year. That was a very good defense. That was a very good team."

Now in grade 12, Clazie says getting the chance to play for the provincial championship was something he's wanted to do since joining the Cobras.

"In grade 10, I watched our seniors beat them, and was I hoping we'd get that chance. it meant a lot to me to get there, and for us to win the game."

It came in a year when the Cobras didn't have the chance to travel to play some tougher teams in preparation for the provincials.

"Playing some higher-level teams here and in the States helps to give us some tough competition, and even lose. It gives us the feeling that we don't want to lose again.

Fortunately, the George McDougall Mustangs offered the Cobras some stiff competition and handed them a rare regular-season loss in the Rocky View league, plus an overtime battle for the divisional championship.

McNabb says there are a few details to wrap up on the season before players return to their off-season weight program. This past Friday, a week after the win, the team had a chance to celebrate, and let it all sink in.

For McNabb, there's the big question of what his future role will be with the team. He's near the end of his teaching career, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll automatically be leaving the Cobras.

"I don't know what my plans are right now. Retirement is looming, and I'm going to take a little time with my family to figure it out and talk with the younger coaches to see if I fit into their plans."