All-Star Senior Bowl 2017: Team South reigns in battle of Alberta match-up

The 28^th Annual Senior Bowl High School All-Star Game was a scorcher at McMahon Stadium on Monday afternoon in Calgary, Alberta. The North and South teams erupted onto the field despite a slow start to the game.

Team North All-Stars sporting green and gold jerseys was lead by head coaches Vince Orieux and Dustin Fallscheer from Lloydminster while Team South All-Stars sporting red and white jerseys was lead by head coach Rob McNab from Cochrane.

Right off the bat, the North had a difficult time gaining yards while battling a strong, but undisciplined defence from the South. McNab’s boys racked up 65 penalty yards in the first quarter alone.

Team South’s Jaden Sheilan from St. Francis, managed to kick a successful 37 yard field goal while Team North picked up a safety making the score 3-2 in an underwhelming opening quarter.

Defensive back, Payton LaGrange from the Notre Dame Cougars, intercepted a pass running 44 yards into the end zone putting energy back into the game taking Team North a few points ahead. It is 9-3 ending the first half.

In his last year of football at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, LaGrange is appreciative of his coaching staff, particularly Head Coach Gino Castellan, claiming that his coach has groomed all the boys into the players they are today. “You don’t [grow] on your own, so I give huge credit to my coaches,” LaGrange said.

LaGrange looks forward to becoming a T-Bird at the University of British Columbia this upcoming fall. Standing at 5’8, the quick-on-his-feet defensive back says his height is not a negative factor anymore. He is confident that he will maintain a strong ground game as a post-secondary player.

“I’m not too small, that word doesn’t mean too much to me these days,” LaGrange said. “It is my motivation. It is my confidence boost.”

LaGrange was awarded with Team North’s MVP award.

Team South awarded their MVP award to defensive back, Trey Dube who made an impressive 55 yard interception touchdown during the game. 

Cochrane Cobra veteran receiver Zach Rabe turned up the heat with a 43 yard touchdown catch from St. Francis quarterback, Cole Belway, to take back the South’s lead in the third quarter.

Following a single point conversion and a safety, the South ended the third quarter 13-9.

Rabe will continue his football career as a Dino at the University of Calgary studying Urban Studies. He mentions how playing at university level will allow him to expand his play mentally and physically. “I want to go as far as I can,” Rabe comments.

With four other Cobra teammates on the South team, Rabe has only one thing to say to his fellow locker room buddies, “Let’s meet down the road in the pros.”

By the fourth quarter, the South took control by putting up thirteen more points to their existing lead, frustrating the North offence with only a gain of six points from Lloydminister QB Tommy Yanchuk.

Team South win the Senior Bowl 26-15.

Jacob Plamondon from the Notre Dame Cougars and Tyrese Best from the Henry Wise Wood Warriors both were presented with “Most Valuable Linemen” awards.

Most athletes participating in the Senior Bowl have already committed to football scholarships to different institutions around the country really making this event “a next level game” according to winning coach Rob McNab.

Today’s win marks Team Souths third consecutive win in the Alberta Senior All-Star Bowl.