Rams stymied by tough Cougars defence

Posted 3 months ago

Lacombe Rams quarterback Cole Stewart tries to elude a Notre Dame Cougar defender during Saturday s championship game. The Cougars defence played a big part in their win. Lacombe Globe/ HEATHER PICKETT

RICHARD

MACKENZIE

Globe Staff

RED DEER— The first two quarters of the Central Alberta High School Football League championship between the Notre Dame Cougars and Lacombe Rams, played on Saturday afternoon at Great Chief Park in Red Deer, looked liked it could go either way. But in the third, it was all Cougars and that proved to be the difference as they took the title with a 29-14 victory.

"We had a few lapses, made a few mistakes and that cost us," said the Rams Dalen Kolybaba about the quarter that went overwhelmingly in favour of the Cougars. "Both teams tried hard, played hard. We did all we could but, unfortunately, we came up a little bit short."

The Cougars outscored the Rams 15-0 in the third to take control of the contest.

Kolybaba scored the Rams second major on a fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter. Snatching up the ball on his own six, he went 104 yards for the touchdown. His effort did give Lacombe one more shot at getting back in the contest but an on-side kick attempt on the proceeding kick-off didn't materialize in the needed turnover Lacombe was hoping for.

Brady Olsen scored Lacombe's other TD. His two-yard plunge in the second quarter put the Rams on the scoreboard first. Cale Jacobs converted both scores.

Olsen finished with 134 yards on 24 carries to lead Lacombe's running game. Skylar Sargeant added 71 on six carries before being forced to leave the game with an illness.

Quarterback Cole Stewart connected on six of 11 pass attempts. Nathan Goode grabbed three of the passes for 31 yards to lead the Rams in receptions.

"Notre Dame is a very good team, there is a reason they're undefeated," said the Rams head coach Brian Ross following the game. "They're well coached and have great athletes in good spots and today, they outplayed us."

As for his team, Ross noted they're still a young squad and that things look bright for next season.

"We only graduate five guys this year so things look positive for us this off-season and for the upcoming year. With youth comes youth mistakes and stuff like that but with another year of seasoning under their belts, they'll be good to go for next year."