Alberta Bowl weekend

#1 Harry Ainlay Titans vs. #2 Raymond Comets

Sat. Nov. 26 – 6:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

It will be exactly three months and one day since these two teams kicked off the season with the first non-conference game of the year at Comets Stadium in Raymond on August 25th. And now they will meet again in the last game of the year at the Alberta Bowl. That game in August was played between electrical storms and power outages and saw the defending Provincial Brian Fryer Champion Titans eventually prevail 25-15.

This game will be played in chillier conditions (but still decent for November) in a neutral site so it will be interesting to see whose game has risen the most? The Titans come in as the only 12-a-side team with an undefeated record at the Alberta Bowl. Their last two games have been against the same team with similar results as they handled the powerful Salisbury Sabres 41-14 in the Metro Edmonton Division I championship and then 42-21 in the Brian Fryer semi-final last Saturday, having had the BYE the first round of Provincials. The title of best team in the Province has belonged to the Titans since 2019 and they have no plans to give that up on Saturday.

The Comets have had some hiccups along the way with the loss to Ainlay in the pre-season then a tie vs. Ernest Manning a couple of weeks later. But since then, they have put the pedal to the metal beating most of their opponents by four TDs or more. Only their South Zone Final game vs. L.C.I. was a bit of an outlier as the Rams gave them all they could take before succumbing 15-0. Once into the Brian Fryer Draw, they have left no doubt, blasting both St. Francis (39-0) and Ernest Manning (48-6) in consecutive weekends to get to the Championship Game.

Historically, these teams have been in this game a bunch but it was only in 2011 when they met in the Tier I Final, and it was a thriller with the Titans coming out with a 21-16 win in overtime – the only overtime game in the history of Tier I Provincials. Will we be treated to another classic this Saturday? Watch and find out.

Larry Wilson (Regional) Division (School Pop. 1250+)

Championship

Spruce Grove Panthers vs. All Saints Legends

Sat. Nov. 26 – 2:30 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

The undercard at the Tier I level is very intriguing as well. There is no history between these teams to speak of but they are great examples of two teams that have strong programs who choose to play at the highest level they can. And that’s where the Larry Wilson Division comes in, rewarding the teams that don’t necessarily want to take on the challenge of the Brian Fryer declaration, but are still doing their best at the highest level they can. That is why this game is important.

All Saints took their lumps all year in Calgary Division I and only once surrendered more than 30 points in a game as most of their contests were close vs. traditional powers like Notre Dame and St. Francis. The same could be said of Spruce Grove. A tough out for sure against Salisbury, Austin O’Brien and Harry Ainlay but an out none the less. For everyone else they went undefeated.

One thing the Panthers can do is score. Despite their record, they averaged close to 40 points a game this season including a 67-0 shutout of Fort McMurray in the first round and a 36-8 win over Bev Facey in the North Final last Saturday. Spruce Grove is the only team to hang more than 30 points on the Harry Ainlay Titans this year so look for good conditions on Saturday to possibly work in their favour.

The Legends, again have had a tough road during the regular season and lost their two pre-season games to Foothills and L.C.I. respectfully. However, since the middle of October they are 4-1 including last weekend’s thrilling South Final which saw them score with 25 seconds left to beat the Cochrane Cobras 21-20.

No history here? Who needs it? This will be a fun watch on Saturday between two up and coming powers.

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 (BF) Raymond Comets (LW)

TIER II (School Pop. 750-1249)

Championship

#3 Austin O’Brien Crusaders vs. #1 Holy Trinity Academy Knights

Sat. Nov. 26 – 11:00 a.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Another green and black classic at the Tier II level. Since 2019 those are the only colours that have been sported in the Tier II Championship game as that is the jersey look of the three powerhouses that have participated in them – St. Joseph’s (GP), Holy Trinity Academy and Austin O’Brien.

With the Crusaders taking out St. Joseph’s (GP) last weekend in the North Final 47-21 and topping Hunting Hills 44-22 in the South Final, we are once again assured of a green and black showcase early on Saturday.

Both teams have come from different takes. The Knights started the year ranked #1 and stayed that way the whole way along. A tough outing vs. Raymond on October 21 where they lost 35-0 is the only blemish on their record, but the rest of the way they have thoroughly manhandled all comers including at the Provincials level where in addition to their win over Hunting Hills last week, they started with a 48-7 win over Our Lady of the Rockies in the first round.

As for the Crusaders, they started out the season unranked in the tough Tier II level but quickly made amends for that eventually climbing as high as #3 entering Provincials. True, they could not get past either Harry Ainlay or Salisbury, but they handled everyone else in Metro Edmonton Division I quite nicely and their third-place finish is quite the accomplishment for a Tier II team. Their first-round game in Provincials was also a no-doubter as they travelled to Lloydminster and took out the Barons 40-3 before taking care of St. Joes’ last weekend.

It may be ancient history to the participants this weekend but there is some history between these two teams in this game. In 2011, on a windy day in Lethbridge these two teams met in the Tier II Final with the Crusaders beating the Knights to win their first ever title and first of three in a row. The Knights countered with a win in Lacombe in 2019 over the Crusaders 35-3. They may not have won three in a row after that but they have been the South representative in this game ever since that time. We do know the colours of the team that will win on Saturday already. All that’s left is to figure out the name.

PAST TIER II CHAMPIONS

1986 – Stettler Wildcats – 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)

Championship

#1 Holy Rosary Raiders vs. #6 Strathmore Spartans

Fri. Nov. 25 – 7:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Something Old vs. Something New in this year’s Tier III Final. Seeing the Holy Rosary Raiders in this game isn’t a shocker as they have played in this contest the past six times it was contested. In fact, add on the two previous years to that when they were at the Tier IV level and you have the Raiders playing in their Alberta record ninth straight Provincial Final appearance this Friday.

As impressive as that is, one thing that isn’t so great is the fact that they only have one win to show for all of that in 2014 when they won the Tier IV Title with a 28-17 win over Willow Creek. With their usual dance partner – the Cochrane Cobras – dispatched at the Tier I level, the door is wide open for the Raiders to finally grab that elusive Tier III title they’ve been fighting for all of these years.

On the other side of the docket is a team with next to no history at this, or any other, level of Provincial play. A couple of sporadic appearances in the past that yielded a quick exit in Provincials were the only record of involvement from a Strathmore based team. Now, not only did they win their school’s first ever Provincial game two weekends ago with a 23-13 win over Crescent Heights, but they have burst into the Alberta Bowl with another surprise win last Saturday, 48-31 over Sylvan Lake. While it’s true that Cochrane’s moving up to Tier I opened the door for someone other than the Cobras to represent the South in the Tier III final (which they had done for the previous six seasons), Strathmore might not have been on too many minds when asked who would replace them. Kudos to them for creating the best feel-good story of 2022.

So, is this the year when the Raiders finally kick in the door at Tier III, or do the Strathmore surprises keep coming? Friday night’s feature game will be a dandy.

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)

Championship

#4 St. Paul Lions at #2 Drumheller Titans

Fri. Nov. 25 – 4:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Two teams who have been itching to get another shot at the Tier IV Title meet this Friday in Calgary. The St. Paul Lions have been a solid program for years but it’s only been in the last five seasons that they have become a consistent contender for the Tier IV prize. Prior to the Pandemic, they were the team to beat out of the North side of the draw advancing to the Alberta Bowl twice in 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, that was as far as they went losing to both Canmore and Willow Creek respectively.

This year, they surprised the defending Tier IV Champion Sexsmith Sabres with a last-minute victory in St. Paul 16-13 in the first round. From there they took out the Ardrossan Bisons 30-9 in the North Final to punch a ticket to their third Alberta Bowl in the last four contested seasons.

The Titans on the other hand are one of Alberta’s most prolific attendees for Provincials at the Tier IV level and had a run of three straight titles from 2011-13. Unfortunately for them, despite qualifying for Provincials every year since that time they have yet to return to the big game. This year saw them take out Willow Creek 33-20 in the first round, then return the favour from last season’s upset loss in the South Final to the W.R. Myers Rebels with a 26-7 victory last Saturday.

A preview of this game took place just before Labour Day on September 3 as the Lions travelled to Drumheller for their only non-conference game of the year. The result was a 24-13 win for the Titans, but that was seemingly a lifetime ago in considerably warmer conditions. Something has to give this Saturday as both teams feature strong running attacks and stiff defences. Best game of the weekend weather wise if things hold up as forecasted so look for a fast track to add to the fireworks.

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

Championship

#1 Millwoods Christian Royals vs. #3 J.C. Charyk Hawks

Fri. Nov. 25 – 1:00 p.m., Hellard Field at Shouldice Park (Calgary)

Another shot at the Royals for the powerful Hawks of Hanna. Unfortunately, they are 0-2 in that endeavour in the past 365 days, losing both the 6-a-side Championship Game in 2021 to Millwood Christian 60-48, as well as dropping the 6-aside Game on the Year 52-38 on October 28 in 2022. Things aren’t all that bad for J.C. Charyk, though as those two losses are the only two losses the team has experienced since 2018.

Millwoods Christian is on a roll though putting together their own run of excellence going undefeated for the past two seasons leading up to this game. The 2021 6-a-side Champion didn’t waste any time this year pouring it on and will be very tough to dislodge from their spot at the top.

To get to this game both teams had to play tough opponents in the 6-a-side semis two weeks ago. The Royals outlasted the Holy Redeemer Rebels from Edson 48-14, while the Hawks took down the #2 Rimbey Spartans on the road 86- 37.

It will be a nice day in Calgary on Friday so a dry track at 1:00 p.m. might lead to the usual track meet that is 6-a-side, and normally one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.

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

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Alberta Bowl weekend

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