Fighter Jets championship bound after ousting Elite

The Cold Lake Fighter Jets are headed back to the Alberta Football League final after defending home field on Saturday against the Edmonton Elite. 

It was a defensive battle, which has been the Fighter Jets’ strong suit all season long, as they held their opponents to single digits again, winning 18-6. 

The rivalry against the Airdrie Irish will be renewed in the final, as these two teams battled in the 2022 AFL Championship as well. 

The Irish are also the only team to knock off Cold Lake this season, handing them a 29-25 loss back on July 8. 

Thomas Varughese Field is the site for the championship game on Saturday, as Cold Lake looks to make it back-to-back AFL titles. 

The Fighter Jets have never lost a home game in its franchise history. 

Early points the difference

The opening kickoff return set up the Fighter Jets deep in Elite territory after a huge run to the Edmonton 25-yard-line. 

Cold Lake needed just four plays in under two minutes to get the game’s first touchdown. 

On their next drive, they kicked a lengthy 46-year-old field goal to extend their lead to 10-0 midway through the 1st quarter. 

Edmonton used an interception deep in Cold Lake territory to score their first points of the game late in the opening quarter with a 20 yard field goal. 

After the Fighter Jets threatened to extend their lead, a goalline fumble cost them the chance to extend to a two-score lead. 

But the Elite were forced to concede a safety after taking over, making it 12-3, the score heading into the halftime. 

Out of the break, Cold Lake hit paydirt again to extend their lead to 18-3. 

The Elite were only able to muster a field goal the rest of the way. 

Each defense held firm in the 4th quarter. 

Final

The stage is now set for the AFL Final. 

The Fighter Jets host the Irish at 6:00pm for the provincial championship and the right to contend for the national title. 

Gates open at 5:00pm.