Despite high expectations for the end of the season, the Jaguars lost the first round of the 5A state playoffs against Bishop Miege High School, 41-23, on Friday, Nov. 2.
“I was pretty sad about losing,” senior defensive lineman Tim Thomas said. “I was hoping to take things a lot further this year. But overall, I was not disappointed about the season.”
While playing in the Kaw Valley League allowed the Jaguars to earn a 6-0 league record, the team felt unprepared to play the Stags because of their previous competition.
“I think we could have played better than we did,” senior linebacker Zac Ferren said. “We did well during the season though. I think that since we had and easy schedule, it was difficult playing a harder team.”
Before the game against Miege, the Jaguars averaged 52.33 points per game. Yet the team only scored 23 against the Stags, even though they rushed for 167.33 yards more than their season average. Some members of the team feel that the loss was not due to an overall bad performance, but rather certain plays that made a big difference in the game.
“I would say the kick-off return for a touchdown and the fake punt were pretty killer,” Thomas said.
For the seniors, this was the last high school game for which they will ever suit up.
“It hurts now that it’s over,” Ferren said. “I’m going to miss [football] a lot. After the game on Friday, I didn’t want to take off my pads because I knew it would be the last time.”