The south team may have lost for the first time since 2014, but without question, the Cochrane Cobras football program continues to leave its imprint on the Senior Bowl and high school football.

On the field for the May 20 game, the Cobras were represented by receiver Dylan Neis and defensive back Joseph Bell. On the sideline, Cobras alumni and now teacher Tom Knitter was coaching defensive backs. The night before, the co-head coach dynamic dual of Bruce O'Neil and Rob McNab shared top honours as tier III coaches of the year for the sixth time.

The players spent four days in total in camp for the game. While it was a salute to their high school football careers it was also a chance to get to know some of the peers they'll be seeing in USports play in the future. 

"I have a new family now from all the practices and all the time we spent," says Neis."We literally spent four full days together. Even if we lost it was a lot of fun."

Just weeks prior to the game, Neis and Bell reported to the U of C Dinos spring camp to get a taste of what to expect in the fall.

What struck Neis most about the camp was the size of the players and the work ethic.

"I've got a just a little glimpse of it during spring camp and it was crazy. They do it daily for months on end, so I'll have to get used to that."

Joseph Bell appreciated the emphasis on focus, energy and execution during the Senior Bowl camp. 

"Honestly, everyone just came together. Having the best players playing together was another experience. It was good."

Prior to signing with the Dinos, he did have two offers from Eastern Canadian university teams but opted to stay here.

"This is where I've grown up since grade one. This is where I want to be and I'm happy to be at McManus Stadium. This is my home."

With the Cobras setting two long-term records this year, it was appropriate for Football Alberta to give a tip of the hat to co-head coaches O'Neil and McNab.

During the 2018 season, the Cobras set two new high school football records. They won their 40th straight game, breaking a record previously held by the Raymond Comets, and also became the first program to win five consecutive ASAA provincial championships.

"It's awesome to be recognized by your football peers," says O'Neil. "It's neat that we're getting it on Sunday and then we get to watch a couple of our players in Monday's game. To be part of all of that is very cool."

"I think they're all pretty special," says McNab. 'We're both kinds of reaching the end pretty soon here so it's special to win it together again."

The pair say a total school effort continues to make the program a success.

"Awards are nice but without all our coaches, our kids, our parents and administrative staff at school and the teachers that support the program it wouldn't be possible," says McNab. "It's a huge undertaking. We're just the figureheads; you definitely can't do this alone."

The North Team went on to win the 30th annual Senior Bowl at Calgary's Hellard Field, 23-14, in front of a crowd of nearly 1,250 people. The south came back from 23 unanswered points to come within nine points before the North ran out the clock.

O'Neil Returning to Team

At the end of last season, O'Neil was contemplating retiring from the Cobras coaching staff. Now there's no debate--he's coming back for his 39th season to head the defence.

"I wasn't sure at the end of the season, but sitting on the beach in San Diego I contemplated it and decided I was going to go back this year. It's great to have that opportunity."

Training has begun for the Cobras' 2019 season but doesn't go wide open until June 10th so not to interfere with the track, boys' football and rugby season, says McNab.

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