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By Mia Thomas

While running out onto the field, senior Joel Donn holds the American flag.

Football added its first loss to this season’s record books after a defeat from the Blue Valley High School Tigers on Friday, Sept. 23.

Both teams were 3-0 prior to the game. The team prepared with hard work and dedication, as always, according to linebacker coach TJ Finan.

“We prepare the same every week and do what we can to get the kids ready to go. [The fact that both teams were 3-0] kind of heightened the energy a little bit,” said Finan. “We came out ready to go, scored early and often, and they responded well.”

The Tigers took the lead with a field goal late in the first quarter and the team reciprocated with a touchdown from senior wide receiver Ben Hartman at the end of the first quarter. The extra point by sophomore kicker Jack Matchette was successful, making the score at the end of the first quarter 7-3.

The Jaguars stayed in the lead in the beginning of the second quarter with another touchdown by Hartman and another field goal for the extra point by Matchette. The Tigers came back 20 seconds later and scored a touchdown along with the extra point making the score 14-10.

As a result of a touchdown and field goal, Blue Valley took the lead halfway through the second quarter. The team struck back to regain the lead four minutes later with a touchdown from senior linebacker Brady Garrison and extra point by Matchette.

Blue Valley challenged the team’s lead towards the end of the second quarter with a touchdown and attempted field goal. The score at the half was 24-21 with the Jaguars three points behind.

The turning point in the game, according to Finan, was how the team responded to the Tigers’ plays.

“We didn’t respond very well and they got momentum and they just kept it. They had a couple scores and we responded late.” said Finan.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Tigers extended their lead with a touchdown and extra point. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Blue Valley scored another touchdown bringing the score to 38-21. With 8:22 left in the fourth quarter, they scored their sixth and final touchdown of the night.

Towards the end of the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Brody Flaming scored a touchdown with a successful extra point by Matchette. The final score was 45-21.

Even though the winning streak has come to an end, junior wide receiver Evan Rice still has confidence in the team.  

“[The loss] is just going to make us work harder honestly because no one likes that feeling of losing,” said Rice. “Just like with state last year, we bounced back and went to state so we’re just looking to bounce back next week.”

The Jaguars will play at St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday, Sept. 30.