The Cochrane Cobras football team's fall camp is short and sweet and entirely focused upon winning Friday night's season opener at home against the Chestermere Lakers.

Last night was Day 3 of the camp for the defending tier 3 provincial champions and as always their goal is to try to extend that record to six consecutive titles.

Co-head coach and offensive coordinator Rob McNab says he likes what he's seeing at the camp.

"We're really pleased. They're eager to be here and they don't want to miss because there's a lot of competition out there."

"There's no room to have a nice little training camp going on, so we're preparing for Chestermere. That's what the whole week has been, getting ready for them."

The goal remains the same, year-in, year-out.

"That's our goal, 100 per cent, win provincials. Now it's one week at a time. We prepare every week like we're playing an NFL team. It doesn't matter who we're playing."

There are many returning veterans among the 50 on the field but the one garnering attention North American wide is starting quarterback Xavier Vaillancourt, who's been courted by many universities.

"Xavier is arguably the best high school quarterback in this country," says McNab. "What he brings is that confidence level that our offence at any time can score just because he makes reads--and that's unusual for a high school quarterback to read defences. He makes intelligent decisions and his arm strength is awesome for a high school kid."

For Vaillancourt, football is a year-round pursuit and he's eager to start his final campaign with the Cobras.

"We're looking good," says Vaillancourt. "We're looking fast, the offence is looking good and I think we have our chemistry down. So, it should be fun for us on Friday, Hopefully, we get some completions, have some fun and get the seconds in for some reps."

He has got plenty of confidence in his receiving corps.

"All of our receivers are going to be stellar this year. We've got all grade 12s and then one grade 11 and he's going to be really good so I'm excited to throw him the ball."

Vaillancourt's arm looked good despite light-duty at last night's practice. 

"I'm feeling good. I've been training all summer. I'm just trying to keep it light and saving it for the game and I'll fire it there."

Polson named new defensive coordinator

Defensive coordinator Ken PolsonKen Olson has been named the new defensive coordinator and co-head coach for the Cobras. He's been charged with continuing the legacy established his predecessor Bruce O'Neil.

Hall of Famer O'Neil has called it a career after 38 years of helping build the most stable and winningest tier 3 football program in the province.

"Mr. O'Neil retired so I guess I'm the guy," says Polson. "But it's a pretty collaborative thing. I've got a couple of other coaches that are all throwing it together and coming up with, I think, good plans. Our practices have been running well. There's been a lot of good teaching and a lot of great learning, and we have a short period of time to do it."

Polson is no stranger to helping call the team's defence. He's just completed his 16th season with the Cobras and in that time has been part of 11 provincial championship teams. Like the entire Cobras coaching staff, football has been a lifelong passion of Polson that started in high school in Alymer, QC and continued with post-secondary play with the Bishop University Gaiters as a linebacker and kicker. He's been coaching for 30 years.

In 2018, Football Alberta honoured him as Coach of the Year for Tier 3 high school football.

"You're not going to see very much difference whatsoever. Bruce and I have been put these game plans together for the last dozen years, so you're not going to see a lot of difference from us. We're coming after teams, we're going to run to the ball and we're going to be intense and fast. That's us. No change there."

 

Last season, the Cobras set two new benchmarks in Alberta high school football. They won their fifth consecutive provincial championship and had their 40th straight win, breaking a record previously held by the tier 1 Raymond Comets.

It's been many moons since the Cobras have met the storied Comets because they play in different tiers. That wait is over.

The Cobras' annual fall trip includes an exhibition matchup against Comets on Oct. 19. The game was arranged after a scheduled game in Delta, B.C. was cancelled.

"I think Raymond will be ranked number one or number two in the province in tier 1, so we're going down to their place and we'll see how that goes."

The last time the two teams met the Comets had their way with the Cobras.

On the same trip, the Cobras will be travelling stateside for exhibition play against some American teams and to watch some ball.

The season opener is being played at the SLS Legacy Sports Field. Kickoff is 6 p.m.