Cardston defeats LCI to capture T. Eaton Golden Football trophy

Thanks to a late game gamble, the Cardston Cougars are golden.

The Cougars defeated the LCI Rams 16-10 on the final night of the Southern Alberta High School Football League Division A regular season Friday in Cardston to not only finish a perfect 4-0, but also capture the T. Eaton Golden Football Trophy for the third time in school history.

Gambling on a third-and-10 with three minutes to go, Jayce Nelson scored on a 47-yard run for the game-winning touchdown.

“I’m just so proud of the boys,” said Cougars head coach Byron Pierson, whose team was ranked second in the Football Alberta Tier III rankings heading into Friday’s game. “We went for it on an third-and-10 and we were able to make a big play.”

Earlier in the game, Mikhail Moojalsky ran for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter, while Austen Olsen kicked two converts and added a two-point safety as LCI led 10-2 at halftime.

Nelson was also Cardston’s top receiver and Taylor Cook was the top rusher. Cook, as well as Levi Bennett, also had a fumble recovery.

Taylor Barfuss was the Cougars top tackler and Ty Schaffer quarterbacked Cardston to the win.

The Cougars first won the Golden Football in 2003 and again in 2013.

The Rams had won the previous three titles and 30 overall.