Two Cochrane Cobras were among the members of Team Alberta that won bronze in Football Canada Cup in Kingston, ON.

Alberta won a 22-21 nailbiter against Ontario for the medal, July 13, after a dramatic semifinal two days earlier that took four overtimes to decide. Cobra receiver Dawson Gladue and defensive back Ben Dobson made key contributions to the team in their three games.

Defensive back Ben Dobson on the sideline the Football Canada Cup tournament in Kingston. (Photo Courtesy Joel Nolin, Team Alberta photographer)

It was Gladue who grabbed a tipped Hail Mary throw from Alberta quarterback Eli Hetlinger deep in the Quebec zone to glide in for a touchdown and deadlock the game 23-23 with zeros on the clock. After the teams remained tied through three overtimes. Quebec kicked a field goal to best Alberta's rouge to go on to win 29-27.

Coming off the semifinal game, Alberta head coach Darcy Park says the team was sluggish in the first half against Ontario in the bronze medal matchup. Alberta took a 22-15 lead with 3:18 remaining in the game. Ontario scored with 1:08 remaining but failed on a two-point conversion attempt to remain behind by one point. With eight seconds on the clock, Ontario blocked a kick and reclaim the ball for one more crack at the bronze. A field goal attempt sailed left of the uprights to give Alberta the win.

"We made it hard on ourselves at the end but our guys showed really well for our province and we're super excited to bring home a bronze medal for Football Alberta, the executive and all the coaches," says head coach Park.

Gladue and Dobson both enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Team Alberta and consider it the toughest ball they have played in their young careers. Neither dwelled on their play and instead focused on the teamwork that gave them a crack at a medal.

"It was a great opportunity to meet lots of new people from different teams and see what they all do to prepare so I can get better and learn from them," says Gladue, who was also part of the U16 Alberta team that went to Hawaii last August.

"It was pretty fast football, so the games were fun to play."

Gladue isn't eligible for next year's game but Dobson, 15, aspires to play for Alberta again next year. He's entering grade 11 this year and was the youngest member of Team Alberta.

"I learned a lot," says Dobson. "It was a really good football and the coaching was top-notch."

"It was a great experience and I'll definitely be back next year to try out."

In their first game of the tournament, second-ranked Alberta beat the seventh-ranked New Brunswick, 39-6.

In the gold medal match, Saskatchewan won their second consecutive national title. That's two gold, three silver and one bronze in the last six years for our Prairie neighbours. Saskatchewan was ranked number one coming into the tournament.

Alberta continues to be a top contender for the Cup. Last year, Saskatchewan downed Alberta in the final.