You need a good defensive strategy when entering a cobra den.
The Holy Trinity Academy Knights defence shutdown the defending league champion Rundle College Cobras in romping to a 39-7 victory in a Big Rock Football Conference showdown Friday in Calgary.
“We were really prepared for this team — deep coverages, staying back and then playing up on the ball. Don’t let anybody get behind us,” said Knights safety Luke Welton, who had a spectacular pick in the win.
Rundle’s strong-armed Grade 11 quarterback Matteo Spoletini didn’t have much time to throw the ball.
The Knights D-line had Spoletini scrambling more than Donald Trump trying to explain his tax returns.
“We bring the front, pressure hard, and had our guys deep back and we cover it all,” Welton said.
The offence wasn’t too bad either.
HTA opened the scoring on a two-yard TD run by runningback Conor McGee. The TD had been set up by David Bowers busting tackles on a 17-yard run to the two.
The Knights made a two-point conversion when alert quarterback Cameron Fietz picked up a loose snap and hit Bowers in the end zone to make it 8-0.
The Cobras were able to move the ball on their next possession, but were stymied when Welton went sky high to pull down a Spoletini pass for the pick and ran it back to the Rundle 43 yard line
HTA would up its lead a few plays later to 15-0 when Evan Bruynzeel — an offensive lineman who was tucked in the backfield on short-yardage — scored from two yards out.
The 15-point lead was short-lived.
Rundle’s Kemarr Bishop took it to the house on the ensuing kickoff to close the gap to 15-7.
The Knights would score again before the end of the half when receiver Adam Dielissen took it on an end around from five yards out.
McGee and Fietz would add rushing TDs in the second half while Aria Kabganian contributed a 27-yard field goal to make the final 39-7.
Fietz used his legs as well as his arm.
He often tucked the ball under his arm and ran for big yardage.
“Cam was outstanding,” Knights coach Matt Hassett said. “He made some smart decisions.”
Although Bowers didn’t get in the end zone, he had his best game as a Knight.
He gave HTA constant good field position on his kick and punt returns. He also broke some big runs.
“He really played aggressive tonight -- this is what I have been waiting for from him,” Hassett said. “He ran angry today.”
The head Knight credited his defence in minimizing Spoletini’s strong right arm.
“We told our guys he can hit any part of the field if he’s got time,” Hassett said. “We were able to keep him off-balance.”
Cobra coach Brent Hargreaves agreed.
“HTA sent pressure and we had trouble picking it up and it forced him to scramble and check second or third reads,” he said. “Defensively, they forced us into bad situations.”
The former U of C quarterback was impressed with Fietz.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Hargreaves said. “He ran a great offence and threw the ball well.”
It was a big win for the Knights.
It improved their record to 2-0 in the conference and 2-3 overall. It also pulled a nasty fang out of their collective armour in beating the team that has continually shortened the Knights’ season.
“This is great in giving our guys’ confidence -- we had a great team win,” Hassett said.
They need the confidence.
HTA will host their rivals to the South, the Foothills Falcons, in a Most Civil War, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Knights Field.
