James Drake and Bennett Fauth are returning to Cochrane with bronze medals as members of Alberta's U16 Western Challenge team.

Yesterday, Alberta beat Manitoba, 31-23, to win bronze after losing a 22-17 squeaker against British Columbia in their opening game.

Receiver James Drake and linebacker Bennett Fauth, of the Cochrane Lions, played for Alberta.

The Western Challenge was held in Langley, B.C. from July 1 to 7 at McLeod Stadium.

On July 11, the U18 Football Canada Cup begins at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C. Alberta opens against the host British Columbia team that afternoon. How they fare there will determine who they play on July 14. The finals are on July 17.

Eight teams are playing in the first Football Canada Cup since 2019. The 2019 defending champions are Team Saskatchewan, who are ranked number one going into the national championship.

Receiver Ethan Clazie, of the Cochrane Cobras, is on Alberta's 40-player roster.

That's followed by the U18 Western Showcase in Sherwood Park from July 19-27. Cochrane's Jesse Groot, 16, is a linebacker for the Alberta Blue team.