The Bow Valley Bobcats football team has warmed up for the start of the 2023 regular season with a 42-6 exhibition win over Canmore on Aug. 26.

"That was a big success for us," says head coach Dustin Paul. "I think we looked good in all three facets of the game, so I'm happy to see that. There's obviously some stuff to clean up, but if you're not trying to progress and get better then how are you going to improve as a player, which is what I'm trying to push my players to do."

With a roster of 41 players and possibly more when school opens, Paul says there are several new players coming up through the ranks of minor football, making the game especially important.

"Especially for the guys making the jump from bantam to high school, they now see the speed is different, the size is different, and the intensity is different. It's just that much higher of a level at this point for them. It's nice to get that wake-up call for them before we play a league game. I think we'll walk on Friday ready to roll now."

The Bobcats open their regular Rocky View high school league season on the road against the joint Springbank High/Rundle College team on Sept. 1 at Rundle College in Calgary.

Their home opener at the SLS Legacy Sports Field is on Sept. 8 against the Chestermere Lakers.

The Cochrane High Cobras are also on the road for their opening game this Friday against the Croxford Cavaliers in Airdrie. Their home opener is also on Sept. 8 against the Bert Church Chargers in what will be their first regular season game on their new turf.

On Sept. 8, the Cobras play at 4 p.m. and the Bobcats at 7 p.m.

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