The Grey Cups keep coming for Cochrane.
Last season, Cassidy Doneff got to the show as a scout-team receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
This season, Cochrane High School Cobras alumni and Calgary Stampeders starting fullback Rob Cote is off to the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Football League’s championship game being held in Toronto. It’s Cote’s second Grey Cup with the Stamps, but he didn’t dress for their 22-14 win over the host Montreal Alouettes in 2008.
“I’m thrilled to be going back,” Cote said in a telephone interview with The Eagle. “I’m very excited to have a chance to go back, and play this time.”
The Stampeders advanced to the Grey Cup with a 34-29 win Nov. 18 over the defending-champion B.C. Lions in Vancouver. It was Calgary’s second-straight win over the Lions, having de-clawed the coastal cats 41-21 Oct. 26 in frigid conditions at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.
“We beat them in the one that matters,” Cote said of the CFL Western Final in Vancouver. “We showed up and we played a great game. The defence played incredible. (Quarterback) Kevin Glenn played incredible.”
Now it’s off to Toronto to tackle the host Argos, who beat the Alouettes 27-20 in the Nov. 18 CFL Eastern Final in Montreal.
“Toronto’s got a great team,” Cote warned. “They showed us that the last few times we played them. We know what we’re up against. The guys will be ready to play.”
When asked what advice the 2004 Cochrane High grad has for his school’s appearance in the Nov. 24 provincial Tier 3 football final in Edmonton, he said: “Best of luck up there. Just keep doing what got you there. You got yourself to the big game. You’ve got to finish it off.”
Chances are good he’ll be following his own advice this weekend in the Grey Cup.
