The following are the draws for the 2022 ASAA Provincial High School Football Playoffs that will lead up to the thirteenth Alberta Bowl.
TIER I (School Pop. 1250+)
Brian Fryer (Declared) Division
Quarterfinals
#1 Harry Ainlay Titans – BYE
#7 St. Francis Browns at #2 Raymond Comets.
Sat. Nov. 12 – 3:00 p.m., Comets Stadium (Raymond)
Two of the most storied programs in Alberta meet in Raymond for the first round of the expanded Brian Fryer Tier I Provincials. Last year’s four team experiment went well but it left the Comets on the outside looking in. However, even with the expanded format this year, Raymond left no doubt going 7-1-1 in 2022. For the Browns, it’s been a long year having played fewer games than any other Tier I sized team. It’s also left them with a losing record of 2-3-1, which is a rare thing to behold in the land of St. Francis. Still, their amazing tradition and fortitude might serve them well against a team who is definitely on a mission. The game will be livestreamed on the Comets YouTube channel so if you don’t get a chance to see it live, sit back and enjoy from the comfort of your home.
#5 Notre Dame Pride at #4 Salisbury Sabres.
Sat. Nov. 12 – 2:30 p.m., Emerald Hills Stadium (Sherwood Park)
Battle of the Bridesmaids happens in Sherwood Park this Saturday. Both teams are sporting two losses on the year and were the respective runners up in the Calgary and Edmonton Division I Championships last week. They also gave us a preview of what was to come on September 2nd of this season when they played a non-conference game in Strathcona County. The Sabres took off to a big lead only to see the Pride claw their way back in the 4th quarter. Final score was 36-27 in favour of Salisbury. Both teams can score but in last week’s championship games they were held to only two TD’s a piece. The November cold won’t help their cause any but one of these teams will figure out their offense again and get their reward with a date the following week with Harry Ainlay. This will be one you won’t want to miss.
#6 L.C.I. Rams at #5 Ernest Manning Griffins
Sat. Nov. 12 – 2:30 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)
One would think the two loss Rams would be in tough against the Calgary Division I Champion but L.C.I. served notice last week that they could be a handful going forward. After a devastating loss to Raymond 50-0 in September, the Rams have gotten their act together since that time. Their 15-0 loss to the Comets again last week may seem like another loss but it was a world of difference from their first game vs. Raymond. On the other side of the ball, the Griffins were just happy to try their luck in the Larry Wilson division of the Tier I provincials last season and were dispatched 27-10 by L.C.I. in the first round. This year, to say they have upped their game would be an understatement. Sporting only one loss so far, the Griffins went toe to toe with the big dogs in Calgary Division I and advance to their first City Championship Game since the 1970’s beating Notre Dame in a thriller 18-17. Should be the feature game among many at Shouldice Park this Saturday.
Larry Wilson (Regional) Division
Northern Semi-finals
Fort McMurray Saints at Spruce Grove Panthers
Sat. Nov. 12 – 2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium (Edmonton)
The Panthers are ready to pounce on the Wilson Division of Tier I. It’s been a long time since they qualified for post-league play in Alberta, going back to 2012 in the famous “Immovable Object vs. Irresistible Force” Tier I final where their vaunted offence, who scored 138 points in their two games leading up to the Alberta Bowl lead by eventual Hec Creighton Award winner Ed Ilnicki, ran into a brick wall of Notre Dame Pride defence and lost their only appearance in the big game. They once again have the offense to match with Team Alberta U18 QB, Josh Page, slinging it all over the place, being the only team to put up over 30 points on Harry Ainlay this year. Their opponent is the plucky Saints from Fort McMurray. No one puts more miles on than these guys do having played their regular season and playoffs in the Mighty Peace League. The Saints are no stranger to Provincials but have yet to advance out of the first round.
Bev Facey Falcons at Grande Prairie Warriors
Sat. Nov. 12 – 4:00 p.m., Hanson Lincoln Field (Grande Prairie)
Another long bus ride this weekend with the Falcons heading to Grande Prairie. The Falcons have been idle since October 21 so they will be a healthy bunch on Saturday, while the Warriors lost out in the Mighty Peace playoffs on October 29th. Both teams have strong histories in Provincials but it’s been a while since either of them caused some damage. Still, the winner of this game will be hosting next week one step away from the Championship game so lots on the line for these two traditional programs.
Southern Semi-Finals
Henry Wise Wood Warriors at Cochrane Cobras
Sat. Nov. 12 – 5:00 p.m,, Spray Lakes Legacy Field (Cochrane)
From two long bus rides to the shortest one this weekend as the Warriors take the 20 minute drive to Cochrane for their first round game. It’s been a tough year for Henry Wise Wood, going 1-5 with their only victory coming in a non-conference game against Centennial before Labour Day. However, all of their losses came at the hands of Calgary Division I opposition so it’s not like they dropped any soft games. This weekend though they will face the traditional Tier III powerhouse Cochrane Cobras in their first foray into Tier I football. The Cobras are 8-1 but dropped their Rockyview League Final to George McDougall so they’re invincibility is in question going forward. There is a lot of interest in how Cochrane will do at this level and this is the first test.
All Saints Legends at Notre Dame Cougars
Sat. Nov. 12 – 12:00 p.m., Great Chief Park (Red Deer)
Welcome to the Big Dance, All Saints. The Legends are one of Calgary’s newest programs and have wasted no time climbing the ladder to being recognized as one of the top programs in the city. This year they took their lumps losing all but one of their Calgary Division I games but were competitive in all of them. They also dabbled in non-conference play losing to both Foothills and L.C.I. in the pre-season. However, they gave the Notre Dame Pride all they could take in the semi-finals and will be a force to be reckoned with at this level as they face off against another Notre Dame H.S, this time from Red Deer. The Cougars struggled early in the season but came back in the year to qualify for the Central Alberta playoffs. Having lost their semi-final as well they now host at home which will help against a Provincials rookie. Should be a good one in Red Deer.
PAST TIER I CHAMPIONS
1986 – Salisbury Sabres 1995 – St. Francis Browns 2004 – St. Francis Browns 2013 – Notre Dame Pride
1987 – Harry Ainlay Titans 1996 – Raymond Comets 2005 – Raymond Comets 2014 – Notre Dame Pride
1988 – L.C.I. Rams 1997 – Raymond Comets 2006 – Salisbury Sabres 2015 – St. Francis Browns
1989 – L.C.I. Rams 1998 – Raymond Comets 2007 – St. Francis Browns 2016 – St. Francis Browns
1990 – L.C.I Rams 1999 – Jasper Place Rebels 2008 – Raymond Comets 2017 – Harry Ainlay Titans
1991 – Henry Wise Wood 2000 – Strathcona Lords 2009 – Raymond Comets 2018 – St. Francis Browns
1992 – L.C.I. Rams 2001 – Strathcona Lords 2010 – Raymond Comets 2019 – Harry Ainlay Titans
1993 – L.C.I. Rams 2002 – Bev Facey Falcons 2011 – Harry Ainlay Titans 2020 – No Champion
1994 – L.C.I. Rams 2003 – St. Francis Browns 2012 – Notre Dame Pride 2021 – Harry Ainlay Titans
TIER II (School Pop. 750-1249)
Northern Semi-Finals
Bellerose Bulldogs at #2 St. Josephs Celtics
Sat. Nov. 12 – 1:30 p.m., Hanson Lincoln Field (Grande Prairie)
Not much history here between these two teams, as Bellerose’s Tier II existence is only two years old. The Bulldogs have been a stalwart in Metro Edmonton Division I for years but its only since the past few years that their student population has fallen to the point that gets them into Tier II. 2022 was a tough one for Bellerose as their regular season record of 0-5-1 isn’t much to crow about but they lost their star QB James Hill early in the season and now have him back for Provincials. On the other side are the defending Tier II Champion Celtics who have dropped a couple of games this year but still are a force to be reckoned with. Having the game in Grande Prairie will be an advantage to St. Joseph’s as they take a shot at a repeat.
#3 Austin O’Brien Crusaders at Lloydminster Barons
Sat. Nov. 12 – 4:00 p.m., Armstrong Field (Lloydminster)
These teams have played each other 14 times in Provincials since 1996 over the years with Austin O’Brien holding the edge in their contests at the Provincial Level 10 to 4. The year has not been kind to the Barons as they have struggled through their year in the Wheatland Conference but have risen to the occasion to qualify for Provincials with a 31 -28 win over Cold Lake last week. The Crusaders have been cruising along as the third-place team in the Metro Edmonton Division I. Not a bad feat considering all but one of their other opponents is Tier I sized. They don’t pull punches when it comes to Provincials so look for the Crusaders to be on a crusade this season.
Southern Semi-Finals
#9 Hunting Hills Lightning at #10 Our Lady of the Rockies Grizzlies
Sat. Nov. 12 – 12:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)
Our Lady of the Rockies may sound like a new program but it’s not. Formerly known as the Bishop Grandin Ghosts, the renamed OLR Grizzlies continue the strong tradition of football at the school and are Provincials bound for the second straight year. The Grizzlies started off strong going undefeated in September, but October saw some critical injuries and a three-game losing streak that ended their title hopes in Calgary Division II. But they’re healthy now and ready for Provincials. Waiting for them in the first round are the seasoned Lightning who are back in the big dance after having their run of eight straight Provincial appearances snapped last year by Lacombe. A solid season in the Central has primed the Lightning for a run. A quick trip to Calgary will be their test on Saturday.
#4 Medicine Hat Hawks at #1 Holy Trinity Academy Knights
Sat. Nov. 12 – 6:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)
The Knights of Okotoks are no stranger to Provincials having advanced to the final the last two times they were held, winning it all in 2019 and losing to St. Joseph’s in 2021. Last year they took a while to get their feet under them, but this season they have been dominant with their only loss coming at the hands of the Raymond Comets on Oct. 21. Facing them this Saturday will be a very familiar opponent in the Medicine Hat Hawks. The Knights and Hawks have played each other in both the non-conference pre-season and in Provincials the past two seasons with Holy Trinity Academy holding a 3-1 advantage. The Hawks have had an up and down season but a gutty 13-2 win over Chinook last weekend has put them back into Provincials. A later start at essentially a neutral site in Calgary means travel for both so we’ll see who perseveres on Saturday.
PAST TIER II CHAMPIONS
1986 – Stettler Wildcats 1995 – Brooks Buffalos 2004 – Foothills Falcons 2013 – Austin O’Brien Crusaders
1987 – Cardston Cougars 1996 – Cochrane Cobras 2005 – St. Mary’s Saints 2014 – St. Joseph’s Celtics
1988 – Salisbury Sabres 1997 – Brooks Buffalos 2006 – Foothills Falcons 2015 – Foothills Falcons
1989 – Archbishop Jordan Scots 1998 – Cochrane Cobras 2007 – Notre Dame Pride 2016 – Foothills Falcons
1990 – Cardston Cougars 1999 – George McDougall 2008 – Notre Dame Pride 2017 – Foothills Falcons
1991 – Cardston Cougars 2000 – Foothills Falcons 2009 – Foothills Falcons 2018 – Lloydminster Barons
1992 – Cardston Cougars 2001 – Med. Hat Mohawks 2010 – Catholic Central 2019 – Holy Trinity Academy
1993 – Cardston Cougars 2002 – Arch. Jordan Scots 2011 – Austin O’Brien 2020 – No Champion
1994 – Lloydminster Barons 2003 – Arch. Jordan Scots 2012 – Austin O’Brien 2021 – St. Joseph’s Celtics
TIER III (School Pop. 450-749)
Northern Semi-Finals
#3 Sturgeon Spirits at #7 Whitecourt Cats
Sat. Nov. 12 – 1:00 p.m., Graham Acres Field (Whitecourt)
Two teams with excellent records meet in Whitecourt this weekend. These two teams met in the same situation and place in 2019, with Sturgeon winning their first-round game 27-13 over Whitecourt. That of course was followed by the pandemic and that disruption was harder on some schools more than others. Whitecourt was trapped in that situation and was unable to field an official team in the Mighty Peace League in 2021. However, they have bounced back nicely going 5-1-1 in the Athabasca Division of the Mighty Peace League this year, winning that Division Championship on Monday with a 28-12 victory over Valleyview. Their opponent was a juggernaut in Metro Edmonton Division III this year, running the board undefeated capping it off with a 28-0 win over #4 St. Albert in the Championship Game last weekend.
#2 Stettler Wildcats at #1 Holy Rosary Raiders
Sat. Nov. 12 – 1:00 p.m., Holy Rosary High School (Lloydminster)
Provincials are a wonderful thing but sometimes the set-up results in two amazing teams playing each other in the first round. All Provincials, with the exception of the Brian Fryer Tier I Division, are regionally based which means match-ups in the first round are based on proximity rather than ranked team strength. Thus, we have the #1 and #2 teams at Tier III in Alberta playing in the first round. Stettler is undefeated and Central Alberta Champions, and although the Wheatland Champion Holy Rosary Raider have one loss, that loss came at the hands of eventual Calgary Division I Champion Ernest Manning Griffins in non-conference play. So, in short – these teams are very good. The Raiders get to host at home, which may be the only advantage either team has going in. All the games are great this weekend, but paying attention to this one wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Southern Semi-Finals
#5 Sylvan Lake Lakers at #9 Winston Churchill Bulldogs
Fri. Nov. 11 – 5:00 p.m., University of Lethbridge Community Stadium (Lethbridge)
With Cochrane declaring up to Tier I that has left a void in the Tier III Southern draw to which the Lakers of Sylvan Lake were only too happy to fill. Sylvan Lake, along with Stettler, were setting the pace in the Central Alberta League this year. As the smallest teams and only Tier III teams they finished 1-2 in the standings. While Stettler moved onto the league final, the Lakers bowed in the semis making them the second team out of Region 4 and good for a date with the Bulldogs. As for Winston Churchill, they haven’t had much luck getting into the win column this year but have won a couple and have had their mettle tested in the tough Southern Alberta League.
#8 Crescent Heights Vikings at #6 Strathmore Spartans
Sat., Nov. 12 – 5:00 p.m., Stampeder Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)
Strathmore has been a solid surprise this year coming back to Tier III after playing up at Tier II in 2021 due to a combined school situation. Having to play an independent schedule due to the demise of the Big Sky League hasn’t hurt them as they put together a solid 4-3 record in 2022. Another solid team in Crescent Heights from Medicine Hat awaits the Spartans in the first round. The Vikings play an extensive non-conference schedule along with their games in the Rangeland Conference so don’t let their 4-5 record fool you. They are full measure for advancing to the Rangeland Championship game vs. powerful Medicine Hat and might be just the team to take advantage of the void left by Cochrane’s departure to Tier I and qualify for the Alberta Bowl out of the South. The chance for both teams starts this Saturday in Calgary
PAST TIER III CHAMPIONS
1986 – Cochrane Cobras 1995 – Kate Andrews Spartans 2004 – Cochrane Cobras 2013 – Cardston Cougars
1987 – Cochrane Cobras 1996 – Sexsmith Sabres 2005 – Cochrane Cobras 2014 – Cochrane Cobras
1988 – Medicine Hat Mohawks 1997 – Springbank Phoenix 2006 – Wetaskiwin Sabres 2015 – Cochrane Cobras
1989 – Will Sinclair Rebels 1998 – McCoy Colts 2007 – Cochrane Cobras 2016 – Cochrane Cobras
1990 – Raymond Comets 1999 – W.R. Myers Rebels 2008 – Cochrane Cobras 2017 – Cochrane Cobras
1991 – Raymond Comets 2000 – W.R. Myers Rebels 2009 – Brooks Buffalos 2018 – Cochrane Cobras
1992 – Raymond Comets 2001 – W.R. Myers Rebels 2010 – Cardston Cougars 2019 – Cochrane Cobras
1993 – Bert Church Chargers 2002 – Cochrane Cobras 2011 – Stettler Wildcats 2020 – No Champion
1994 – Wainwright Commandos 2003 – Cochrane Cobras 2012 – Cochrane Cobras 2021 – Cochrane Cobras
TIER IV (School Pop. 449 or less)
Northern Semi-Finals
#3 Sexsmith Sabres at #4 St. Paul Lions
Sat. Nov. 12 – 1:00 p.m., Lions Field (St. Paul)
Possibly the farthest anyone has to travel this weekend. Clear across the province from the far west to far east go the Sabres to take on what has become their first-round rival in St. Paul. These teams have played each other in the past three Provincials with the Lions winning the first two in 2018 and 2019 and the Sabres winning last season. This game was also the gateway to the Provincial Tier IV Final with both teams advancing to the Big Show after winning this game with Sexsmith winning it all last year after 17 consecutive seasons of qualifying for Provincials. Both teams made it to their respective League Finals and both teams lost. Not much to choose from in this one.
#7 Valleyview Cougars at #5 Ardrossan Bisons
Fri. Nov. 11 – 1:00 p.m., Emerald Hills Stadium (Sherwood Park)
The Cougars aren’t exactly strangers to Provincials, but it’s been a limited experience. Only in 2017 did Valleyview crack the roster for Provincials and it was a quick one and done with a 44-14 loss to Stettler. On the other side of the equation is the most consistent participant in Tier IV Provincials – the Ardrossan Bisons. Since 1999 the Bisons have only missed going to the post-season twice and that was in years where their school population swelled beyond the 450 barrier pushing them into Tier III. They have also won the Tier IV Title five times with the last one being back in 2015. The Bisons put together a decent 4-4 record this year but did not qualify for their league playoffs. The Cougars are going off one win this season but it was a biggy as they defeated High Prairie in the Athabasca Division playoffs to earn their spot in this game.
Southern Semi-Finals
#6 Willow Creek Cobras at #2 Drumheller Titans
Sat. Nov. 13 – 1:00 p.m., Drumheller High School (Drumheller)
Usually meeting Willow Creek in the first round meant a quick ending to your Provincials experience. In 2019 they won it all with a 47-0 rout of Cold Lake in the Tier IV Final but since that time they have had middling results with sub .500 records in both 2021 and this past season. The Titans on the other hand are one of just four Tier IV sized teams with a winning record and played an exhibition season this past year winning six games. Last year these two teams met in this same game with the Titans winning a close one 19-12.
#8 Canmore Wolverines at #1 W.R. Myers Rebels
Sat. Nov. 12 – 3:00 p.m., Ken McDonald Sports Complex (Taber)
Canmore is just happy to get a game at this point with two of their contests in the last three weeks being cancelled. Still, they have had a respectable season and look forward to the challenge presented by the defending Southern Alberta Tier IV Champions. The Rebels have had a fine year, only dropping one game, and are looking for a return trip to the Alberta Bowl. Last year, the team from Taber had an exciting 17-14 upset win in the second round over favoured Drumheller last year to advance to the Alberta Bowl in Edmonton before being thrashed 51-7 at the hand of Sexsmith. The road to redemption starts on Saturday.
PAST TIER IV CHAMPIONS
1999 – Oilfields Drillers 2005 – Ardrossan Bisons 2011 – Drumheller Titans 2017 – Willow Ck. Cobras
2000 – Oilfields Drillers 2006 – Willow Creek Cobras 2012 – Drumheller Titans 2018 – Canmore W’rines
2001 – Ardrossan Bisons 2007 – Sylvan Lake Lakers 2013 – Drumheller Titans 2019 – Willow Ck. Cobras
2002 – Bow Valley Bobcats 2008 – Ardrossan Bisons 2014 – Holy Rosary Raiders 2020 – No Champion
2003 – Bow Valley Bobcats 2009 – Rundle College Cobras 2015 – Ardrossan Bisons 2021 – Sexsmith Sabres
2004 – Ardrossan Bisons 2010 – Rundle College Cobras 2016 – Bow Valley Bobcats
6-a-side
Semi-Finals
#4 Holy Redeemer Rebels at #1 Millwoods Christian Royals
Sat. Nov. 12 – 12:00 p.m., Emerald Hills Stadium (Sherwood Park)
The Royals are one of two undefeated teams at the 6-a-side level this year and the defending Provincial Champions to boot. However, don’t sleep on the Rebels. It’s been a strong couple of years for the team from Edson and their only loss of the season was a tight one to #2 ranked Rimbey. The Royals put more than their fair share of players on the North 6-a-side All-Star team in the spring, but the Rebels seem to be very well rounded and experienced. A dry artificial turf field may favour the Royals on Saturday but this one could be a shootout and anyone’s game.
#3 J.C. Charyk Hawks at #2 Rimbey Spartans
Thurs. Nov. 10 – 3:00 p.m., MEGlobal Athletic Park (Lacombe)
Two of the 6-a-side levels premier teams meet in Lacombe this Thursday. Three of the last four provincial titles have wound up in their trophy cases with the Spartans winning in 2017 and the Hawks taking it all in 2018 and 2019. Lacombe is the defacto home field for the Spartans in the playoffs so they know it well, but the Hawks have shown adaptability all year only losing once to #1 Millwoods Christian. Rimbey also sports a perfect record so far and have won more games than anyone else at the 6-a-side level. If you want an early taste of Provincials then Thursday in Lacombe is the place to be.
PAST 6-A-SIDE CHAMPIONS
2011 – Father Mercredi Trappers 2016 – St. Joseph’s Crusaders 2021 – Millwoods Christian Royals
2012 – Millwoods Christian Royals 2017 – Rimbey Spartans
2013 – Rimbey Spartans 2018 – J.C. Charyk Hawks
2014 – Rimbey Spartans 2019 – J.C. Charyk Hawks
2015 – St. Joseph’s Crusaders 2020 – No Champion
