The Stettler Cougars have punched their ticket to the second round of the Central Alberta Football League bantam playoffs.
On their snowy home turf Saturday, the Cougars defeated the Rocky Junior Rebels 36-16 in Tier 2 playoff action.
Stettler has advanced to meet host Lacombe in a Tier 2 semifinal this Saturday.
After a shaky start that enabled Rocky to score first on a 40-yard punt-return touchdown, the Stettler offence settled down and took charge. Nevada Bauer, behind some great blocking from the offensive-line, took the ball 100 yards for the Cougars’ first touchdown.
Stettler’s defence stopped Rocky on its next possession and the Cougars scored shortly thereafter as Jeremy Kirk recorded his first of four touchdowns on the day.
Stettler built the lead to 30-8 before Rocky scored late in the fourth quarter. The Cougars immediately answered with a TD of their own to close the scoring.
Austin Rosland scored Stettler’s other touchdown on a 35-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Kyle Lawrence.
The Cougars’ defence was dominant all day, with linebackers Edward Kim and Cooper Smyth leading the way. Tim Gardner added an interception.
Lacombe earned a berth in the second playoff round after blanking the Notre Dame Cougars 21-0 at home last Saturday.