Jaguars lose to St. Thomas Aquinas in the sectional championship game

The loss ends the Jaguars’ postseason run

Katya Gillig, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief

The Jaguars lost to the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints 30-7 on Friday, Nov. 9 in the sectional championship game. The loss ended the Jaguars’ season with a final record of 7-4.

Senior running back Cameron Young believes the season was a success, as the team was able to get better each week.

“I felt like we took huge strides this season and improved week by week which is what we always plan to do as a program,” Young said.

The Saints scored touchdowns on both of their first quarter possessions. After missing one of their two extra points, the Saints had a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, the Saints were able to extend their lead to 20-0 with another touchdown. They would take this lead into halftime.

An injury to a Mill Valley player caused a delay to the start of the second half. The Saints scored again to make their lead 27-0 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Jaguars were able to score with three and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter through a one-yard touchdown carry from Young. After a successful extra point by senior kicker Jack Matchette, the Jaguars trailed 27-7.

Head coach Joel Applebee was glad to be able to get on the board.

“We needed it,” Applebee said. “We weren’t playing very well the first half so we just had to come out and really fight more than anything. I was proud of them to come out and do that in the third quarter.”

Young echoed the sentiment, and believes the touchdown showed the team’s tenacity.

“It was nice to be able to score and know that we never gave up and kept fighting,” Young said.

In the fourth quarter, the Jaguars held the Saints to just three points. The Saints made a field goal with nine minutes remaining in the game to extend their lead to 30-7. This would be the final score.

Despite the loss, Applebee is proud of the seniors and what they have left behind.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these seniors,” Applebee said. “They really … worked their butts off for four years. The legacy they’ve left … is something that will never be taken from them. They’ve done a lot for our program and I’m so proud of them all and I wish them all well.”

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