(Football Alberta/ X.com)

By Ian Gustafson

37-34 victory

Local athletes celebrate Football Canada Cup win with Team Alberta

Jul 22, 2025 | 2:12 PM

Three central Alberta athletes were on the U18 Team Alberta roster when they won their first Football Canada Cup in 18 years.

Red Deer’s Habtamu Thain Liptak (defensive back Notre Dame Cougars), Sylvan Lake’s Cole Belcher (offensive lineman Notre Dame Cougars), and Red Deer County’s Ben McAuley (receiver Notre Dame Cougars) helped Alberta win the provincial team national championship 37-34 over Ontario in overtime in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Alberta beat Manitoba 52-7 in the quarterfinals on July 14 followed by a 34-27 come from behind victory over Quebec on July 17. Down heading into the fourth quarter, Alberta scored 23 points in the final frame to move onto the finals.

(Football Alberta/ X.com)

The championship game on Sunday, July 20 also didn’t lack any late-game drama. Down 21-0 early in the game, Alberta rallied in the second half including a 17-point fourth quarter to send it to overtime.

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In the extra frame, Ontario kicked a field goal to take the lead but Alberta answered with a four-yard rushing touchdown from Edmonton’s Joel Thorpe to seal the deal. Thorpe had also scored the touchdown in the fourth quarter with seconds remaining to reach overtime.

Alberta had previously won the Football Canada Cup in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2007.