The Cochrane Cobras dominated the Winston Churchill Bulldogs from the opening kick-off on Nov. 12 to punch a ticket into the Tier III South Final of the ASAA provincial football playoffs.

Cochrane polished off the Bulldogs, 57-0, and are set to host the Crescent Heights Vikings this Saturday (Nov. 20) at 1 p.m.

Three minutes into the game, the Cobras grabbed seven points on their first possession. Linebacker Jonah Springer made it 14-0 at the eight-minute mark after recovering the ball midfield and running it in for a defensive touchdown.

It was 27-0 after the first quarter, then 43-0 at the half. The Cobras second team came in, led by backup quarterback Christian Golem to seal the deal.

The Cobras defense kept the Bulldogs out of the red zone all game, while its offense used a balance of ground and aerial attacks to rack up the points.

Even though Cochrane came into the game as the clear favourites, co-head coach Rob McNab says they weren't about to take anything for granted.

"We made sure the kids knew that this was an opponent that we had to get by and that we had to play our best game. We prepared like we were playing the Dallas Cowboys. It doesn't matter who you are playing, you have to prepare every week."

"Our guys have been working hard all season, and we just wanted to put together a full game, so we're really proud," says Cobras offensive coordinator Derek Cooper.

Grabbing a solid first-half lead also allowed them to give more experience to their second team 

He said backup quarterback Christian Golem did an outstanding job of distributing the ball with some solid play coming from receivers Colton Shelborn (gr. 10), Tate Larsen (gr. 10), and Jackson Lasitter (gr. 11).

"We've got a lot of work ahead, but we're proud of how those guys stepped up."

Bulldogs head coach Jonathan Dick says they knew they were in for a tough game from the Cobras, but is proud of how their team performed.

"They worked hard all season and improved a tonne from day one. We had a bit of a rough go with some tough games in the south. We were lucky to get into the playoffs, and we're happy to have done so."

The Bulldogs are the only tier III team in the Southern Alberta High School Football League and face stiff competition from Tier I and II teams, including the Raymond Comets.

Cobras coaches say they're taking it game-by-game, but clearly, the goal is to win their seventh consecutive provincial championship.

Cobras linebacker Joseph Curtis leaves it all on the field, game in, game out, and registered another solid performance. He agrees the focus is on winning next week, but they also have an eye on a potential rematch with the Holy Rosary Raiders, of Lloydminster, for the provincial title.

"That's been the goal from the start of the year. It's still the goal. We've been watching film on them to be prepared."

Grade 12 lineman Maxwell Solano is fired up by the win and ready for the south final.

"It's definitely been rough at times. We've had our bumps, but we're showing them that, hey, we're the Cobras. We're getting out there and doing as good as we ever have."

The #4 ranked Vikings took an early lead in their 20-2 win over the Stettler Wildcats to earn a berth into the final.

The Cobras beat the Vikings in the South Final two years ago, 42-0.

Both the north division quarterfinal playoff games were shutouts.  The #1 ranked Holy Rosary Raiders dominated the Sylvan Lake Lakers, 49-0, and the #6 Sturgeon Spirits beat the #9 Peace River Pioneers, 36-9.