Football Alberta: Road to the Alberta Bowl begins this weekend

Same teams, same place, even the same game time as last year when these two teams met in the 2024 5A Quarterfinals. For the Cougars’ sake, they hope the same score doesn’t come into play as the Titans ran over the spunky team from Red Deer last year by the score of 63-0.

The defending 5A Provincial Champions from Harry Ainlay have had their usual business-like season. The margins of victory might be a little less than in the past, but undefeated is undefeated and their convincing win in the Metro Edmonton Div. I final last weekend over Salisbury is proof they are in fine shape to take another shot at the title.

As for Notre Dame, they ran the board in the Central Alberta League this season but also expanded their horizons playing three non-conference games against Top-10 ranked 5A opponents and went a solid 2-1, so perhaps there is more bite in these Cougars than last year. We’ll find out on Saturday.

#5 L.C.I. Rams at #4 Ernest Manning Griffins Sat. Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Each of these teams has a few losses on its record, but consider the source. L.C.I.’s three losses have come at the hands of Harry Ainlay, Raymond, and these same Griffins who beat them 24-19 on September 19th.

The Griffins’ two losses came in the first two weeks of the season, losing by one point to Salisbury on August 29 and again by one point a week later to Notre Dame (CGY) on September 5. Since that time, the Griffins haven’t looked back and are playing their best football of the season, increased greatly by the return of Team Alberta U18 quarterback Harrison Hyndman from injury.

The Rams have a standout quarterback of their own with Team Alberta U17 signal caller Owen Parker running the show. The game between these two was close, but it was also two months ago. Let’s see which team progressed more than the other on Saturday as the first game of a great 5A doubleheader on Hellard Field at Shouldice Park in Calgary.

#7 St. Francis Browns at #2 Raymond Comets Saturday, Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Comets Stadium (Raymond)

Two of Canada’s most storied high school football programs meet in Raymond this Saturday. The St. Francis Browns’ long history of excellence in Calgary never fades and is present in this year’s team as well.

As for the Comets, people always forget how small a student body they pull from compared to everyone who plays against them. Yet, year after year, they put out a team that can challenge for a provincial title at the highest level, including the past two, where they advanced to the Alberta Bowl only to come up short in the championship game. Both teams are moving in different directions at this time of year, however.

The Comets lost their first game of the season at home to Harry Ainlay, but haven’t lost since, and despite having their hands full with L.C.I. last weekend, are poised to take another run at the 5A title.

The Browns had a strong start, going 4-0 out of the gates, but have dropped their last two (albeit with a large break in between due to the strike). Either way, provincial playoff football in Raymond with a blue-blood opponent is not to be missed.

#6 Salisbury Sabres at #3 Notre Dame (CGY) Pride Sat. Nov. 15 – 3:30 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

A trip down the QE2 for the Sabres to face Calgary’s top-ranked team will be the nightcap of the 5A doubleheader at Shouldice Park this Saturday.

The Pride indeed have been Calgary’s most consistent team, going 5-0 in league play after a preseason tie against Holy Cross from Saskatchewan opened their year. A big win over their arch-rivals from St. Francis last Friday has them poised to take a solid run at the 5A title starting this weekend.

As for the Sabres, theirs has been an undefeated year in the Metro Edmonton Division I League, with the exception of the mountain that is the Harry Ainlay Titans. Salisbury, despite two valiant efforts, is still trying to find a way to climb that challenge this season. The Sabres know that if they want another potential shot, their pathway starts in Calgary this Saturday.

4A (School Pop. 800-1399)

Northern Semi-Finals

#4 St. Josephs Celtics at #10 Austin O’Brien Crusaders Sat. Nov. 15 – 12:00 p.m., Jasper Place Bowl (Edmonton)

Two rematches from last season make up the first round in the Northern Alberta playoffs for a berth in the Alberta Bowl. The first one is a rematch from last year’s thriller between these two teams, sporting green and black. In 2024, the Celtics hosted this game in hopes of starting a path to the Alberta Bowl, which was to be held in Grande Prairie for the first time. It looked like the dream would die quickly as the Crusaders pulled out to a big lead, but a furious fourth-quarter rally saw St. Joseph’s win 41-36, and they indeed would eventually wind up in the Alberta Bowl.

This year, the records aren’t fantastic in an abbreviated season with the Celtics at 4-2 and the Crusaders at 2-4, but make no mistake – both of these teams can turn it on this time of year and are definite threats to advance to the Alberta Bowl.

#9 Cold Lake Royals at #5 Hunting Hills Lightning Sat., Nov. 15 – 3:00 p.m., Great Chief Park (Red Deer)

The second northern game at 4A is a rematch of the biggest upset of the first round last year, as the unranked Royals with only one win on the season beat the #5 Lightning 15-10 in Cold Lake.

This year, the Royals won’t be sneaking up on anyone as they have barnstormed across Alberta for a solid 4-2 record going into the teachers’ strike.

As for the Lightning, they’ve put together another strong season in the Central Alberta League, winning the right to represent that zone in provincials last week with a 21-7 win over Lacombe and will be ready for anything this year. Plus, they get to host at home, so look for a great game in Red Deer this Saturday.

Southern Semi-Finals

Bishop Carroll Cardinals at #1 Holy Trinity Academy Knights Sat. Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Stampeder Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. Despite being unranked with a 3-2 record, they’ve held their own against the top teams in Calgary this year, which is a level of play very few teams in Alberta get to experience.

Facing them are the defending champion Knights, who have been playing quite a few big dogs themselves. Versus 5A competition, they are 1-2 with losses to L.C.I. and Raymond, but finished up their regular season before the strike with an impressive 19-15 win over Salisbury.

They now sit 6-2, having won two games last week over Strathmore and George McDougall to advance out of South Central Zone 2. It’s uphill for the Cardinals for sure this Saturday, but they might have the horses who can do it.

#2 Cochrane Cobras at #3 Catholic Central Cougars Sat. Nov. 15 – 3:00 p.m., U of Lethbridge Community Field (Lethbridge)

Two of the most prolific attendees in provincials’ history are also two programs that have never played each other in the post-season. Even during the 1990’s when both teams were at the old Tier II level, they never met. Better late than never for this one, as between them they only sport one loss on the season, and that was Catholic Central’s loss to L.C.I. in the last game before the strike. Both have had to work their way through tough Zone playoffs to get to this game, so it’s not like they’re coming in cold. Either way, this will be a game not to be missed on Saturday.

3A (School Pop. 799 or less)

Northern Semi-Finals

#2 St. Paul Lions at #5 Ardrossan Bisons Sat. Nov. 15 – 12:00 p.m., Emerald Hills Stadium (Sherwood Park)

Two one-loss teams meet in Sherwood Park this Saturday. The host Ardrossan Bisons have a long history of provincial playoff participation, having gone pretty much every year since the advent of a level of play for smaller schools in 1989, winning five provincial championships along the way.

This season, the Bisons went undefeated in the Gilfillan Conference of the Metro Edmonton League prior to the strike and suffered their only loss last Saturday in the Gilfillan Final to St. Albert.

The Lions don’t have a long history in provincials, but their recent history has been intense. Since COVID, St. Paul has qualified for Provincials every year and advanced to the Alberta Bowl twice in 2022, when they lost the Tier IV final to Drumheller by a point and 2023, when they won it all and were the last Tier IV Provincial Champ before reclassification. In 2024, they made it to the 3A semi-finals. Two good teams at Emerald Hills this Saturday.

#10 Stettler Wildcat at #1 Holy Rosary Raiders Sat. Nov. 15 – TBA, TBA (TBA)

The Holy Rosary Raiders from Lloydminster have had a stranglehold on the #1 ranking at 3A ever since that level of play was designated in 2024.

So far this year, they remain undefeated with no intention of giving up that #1 spot. Facing them will be the Stettler Wildcats, who won a 3A winner-take-all game over Camrose last week to advance out of the Central Alberta League.

The Wildcats have a few losses on their record, but a proud tradition that dates back to the beginnings of provincials and included Provincial Titles in 1985, 1986 and 2011. Stettler will have to draw on all of that if they are to have a chance to defeat Alberta’s longest-running provincial final qualifier.

The Raiders will be embarking on a quest this weekend that might see them advance to a provincial final game for the twelfth straight season. A staggering amount of success that has included provincial championships the last three seasons.

We wish we could give you a solid answer on the location of the game, but due to delays in the final preparation of Holy Rosary’s new artificial turf field, the game may have to be moved elsewhere – most likely Cold Lake. We will post the final decision when it is made on our website page.

Southern Semi-Finals

#9 Drumheller Titans at #3 Cardston Cougars Sat. Nov. 15 – 12:00 p.m., U of Lethbridge Community Stadium (Lethbridge)

Another couple of prolific provincial playoff attendees, the Titans and Cougars, meet in Lethbridge this Saturday. Both teams have had recent success lately in the postseason.

The Cougars were in the Alberta Bowl two years ago, losing to Holy Rosary, but it has been since 2013 since they’ve held the trophy over their head when they won convincingly over Ardrossan that year at Tier III.

A similar story exists in the Valley of the Dinosaurs, where the Titans were in two straight Alberta Bowls in 2022 and 2023, winning it all in 2022 with an exciting 22-21 over St. Paul. Prior to that, Drumheller won three straight Tier IV titles from 2011-2013.

Both teams have experienced a win some, lose some season, but the strong traditions of these programs can show up anytime as an intangible, so this will be a fun game this weekend.

#4 Willow Creek Cobras at #8 Olds Spartans Sat., Nov. 15 – 12:00 p.m., Great Chief Park (Red Deer)

Two tough rural teams will take their act to Red Deer’s Setter’s Place at Great Chief Park for the first game of a double header.

Both teams have nosed around provincial playoffs in the past, with Willow Creek having the most success with seven appearances at the Alberta Bowl since 2004, with three championships.

Olds, on the other hand, has not made it to the Alberta Bowl yet, but do have a strong record of attendance in the playoffs, so this won’t be anything new for them. The Cobras are looking good with a 5-1 record, with their only loss being to Cardston on September 19.

The Spartans have had an interesting year, winning all of their games within the Big Sky Conference by at least three TDs, while losing all of their nonconference games, albeit by close margins. One of those losses was a 16-8 decision to Willow Creek on September 12. That was two months ago, so it will be interesting to see who weathered the strike break best.

9-a-Side

Quarterfinals

#7 Millwoods Christian Royals at #2 Peace River Pioneers Sat. Nov. 15 – 2:00 p.m., Peace River H.S. (Peace River)

Welcome to the 9-a-side football playoffs, Millwoods Christian! One of Alberta’s most successful 6-a-side teams has made the move to 9-a-side this year and has performed well, but has had a couple of losses on the docket so far, which they haven’t experienced for a while. Still, they qualified for provincials, and their prize is a date with last year’s Alberta Bowl 9-aside champions, the Peace River Pioneers.

The Pioneers haven’t missed a beat this season, going undefeated until the teachers’ strike shut down the regular season. Tied with Bonnyville overall, they have claimed the #2 seed and will host this Saturday to see if they can defend their championship.

#6 Valleyview Cougars at #3 Wainwright Commandos Sat. Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Commando Field (Wainwright)

A long trip for the Cougars, who have been a consistent power at the 9-a-side level since joining a few years ago. Last year, they were very much in the hunt, winning a squeaker over Frank Maddock in the quarterfinal before bowing to eventual champion Peace River in a tight contest in the semi-final.

That was the same fate their opponent went through last season as the Commandos entered the 2024 playoffs with the #1 ranking, only to drop the semi-final game to Ponoka. A lot of unfinished business on both sides for the start of the 2025 playoffs this Saturday.

#5 Carstairs Kodiaks at #4 Ponoka Broncs Sat. Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Ponoka H.S. (Ponoka)

Another team deserving of a welcome this Saturday is the Carstairs Kodiaks, as this will be that program’s first-ever foray into Provincial play. Undefeated themselves, they will get a tough task in the first round as they are matched up with last season’s provincial finalist, the Ponoka Broncs.

A great effort last year in the playoffs for the Broncs saw them defeat #1 Wainwright in the semi-final and lose in overtime at the Alberta Bowl has left an empty trophy case. This is something they hope to rectify this season, and it all starts at home on Saturday.

#8 Pincher Creek Mustangs at #1 Bonnyville Voyageurs Sat. Nov. 15 – 12:00 p.m., Walsh Field (Bonnyville)

The longest trip anyone will make this weekend is the seven hours the Mustangs will have to endure on their way to their first provincial game in a long time.

Previously, they dabbled in the old Tier IV level before finding a home at 9-a-side. They should be well rested, as they only played in two games prior to the teachers’ strike. That might be an advantage for them as they will have their hands full with the #1-ranked Bonnyville Voyageurs.

The Voyageurs made the move to 9-a-side this year and have flourished, going undefeated and taking top spot for the playoff run.

6-a-side

Quarterfinals

#1 Breton Cougars – BYE #2 Rimbey Spartans – BYE #6 Holy Trinity Academy Tigers at #3 J.C. Charyk Hawks Sat. Nov. 15 – 1:00 p.m., Hawks Field (Hanna)

Getting to advance to provincials is a pretty great thing for the HTA Tigers from Drayton Valley, having never been there before at the 6-a-side level.

Their match-up, on the other hand, isn’t so great for them. Waiting for the Tigers is the powerful J.C. Charyk Hawks, who have been undefeated in the first two rounds of provincial playoffs since 2018. If they have an Achilles Heel at all, it seems to be waiting for them at the Alberta Bowl, where they have lost three of the last four provincial finals.

Still, an intriguing match-up. The new kid on the block vs. the old master. We’ll see who wins this Saturday in Hanna.

#5 St. Carlo Acutis Blues at #4 Holy Redeemer Rebels Wed. Nov. 12 – 2:30 p.m., Holy Redeemer H.S. (Edson)

The Blues may sound like a new team, but they’re really not. With the building of the new Catholic High School in Camrose, the 6-a-side tradition that had been housed at Our Lady of Mount Pleasant simply moved over to the new facility.

With that comes their highest ranking in years, going into provincials and a trip to Edson on Wednesday.

Holy Redeemer is another consistently good program at the 6-a-side level that has challenged in the past but has not been able to get higher than the semi-final game, including last year’s loss to eventual champion Millwoods Christian.

Again, make special note of the date of this game as it will kick off the postseason for 2025.

2025 Football Alberta Minor Provincials

NOTE: Times are subject to change

Bantam 12-A-Side

Tier I Final (November 15)

Airdrie Raiders at Leduc Cats 3:00 p.m., Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion (Sherwood Park)

Tier II Final (will be played November 22) Teams TBA Bantam

9-A-Side

Tier I Final (November 15)

St. Paul Bengals at Grande Prairie Norsemen 12:00 p.m. @ Hanson Lincoln Field (Grande Prairie)

by Football Alberta

Football Alberta: Road to the Alberta Bowl begins this weekend

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