Bantam Cobras sting Rams
By Rob Vogt
The Claresholm Cobras bantam football team sent their fans home happy with a convincing weekend win in their home opener.
The Cobras hosted the Lethbridge Rams at the “Snake Pit” at Willow Creek Composite High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, winning by a score of 31-0.
The teams started slowly. Part way through the first quarter, the Cobras were forced to punt the ball.
As the Ram kick returner let the ball roll around on the ground, Claresholm punter Grayson McClung, who was the only Cobra eligible to recover the ball, jumped on it.
That gave Claresholm the ball deep in Ram territory. They capitalized immediately as McClung, rewarded for his efforts, scored a touchdown on the very next play giving the Cobras a 6-0 lead.
Karter Friesen then kicked the point after to make the score 7-0.
That score stood up at the end of the first quarter, and virtually the entire second quarter.
Then, with 25.6 seconds remaining in the half, Friesen struck with his first touchdown to make the score 13-0 at halftime.
That would not be the last heard from the talented runningback.
Friesen scored the only touchdown of the third quarter with a 23-yard run, making the score 19-0 after three quarters.
The offensive onslaught continued for the Cobras in the final period.
Friesen struck again, to make the score 25-0, with a 21-yard touchdown run.
Then, with just under four minutes to play, Cobra Quarterback Sam Van Rootselaar was flushed out of the pocket, rolled to his right and hit Friesen for a touchdown pass, making the score 31-0 and giving Friesen his fourth touchdown of the game.
There would be no further scoring, so 31-0 was the final score.
This year’s Cobras, who are an Under-15 years of age team, are:
1 – Jacob Oakes;
6 – Ryker DeJong;
7 – Sam Van Rootselaar;
9 – Luse Chisanga;
11 – Korbin Demaere;
12 – Karter Friesen;
14 – Grayson McClung;
17 – Laiken Sabey;
18 – Colton Cutler;
23 – Kale Hamilton;
33 – Connor Clark;
42 – Yusef Ehab;
54 – Leo Toth;
57 – Walker Smith;
63 – Caiden Ramsdale;
64 – Hunter Parsons;
65 – Asher Fox;
67 – Evan McAleer;
71 – Max Alder;
77 – Dexter Martin;
99 – Drake Perry.
The next home game for the Cobras is Saturday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. at the “Snake Pit”.
Peewee football
The Claresholm Cobras peewee, or Under-13, team played their season opener in Coaldale on Aug. 29, fighting to a scoreless tie with the Spartans.
The first home game for the Cobras is Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. when they face the Coaldale Spartans at the “Snake Pit” in a return match.