Jaguars still gave us a fun ride in 2008

As Hazelwood Central took a knee to end the Class 6 Show-Me Bowl Saturday night, the tears began the flow and disappointment filled Blue Springs South’s sidelines.
The script didn’t go the way it was supposed to.
After starting 1-2, with a lineup of guys who had never started a varsity game outside of quarterback Blaine Dalton, the Jaguars were supposed to be able to come through, win the title and finish a story that belonged in a movie.
But real life doesn’t follow a script, unless it’s on MTV. And five turnovers and a few timely penalties cost Blue Springs South a chance at that state championship.
And you know what? It was still one of the most incredible seasons I’ve ever seen.
I’ve covered undefeated teams at the collegiate and high school level. Undefeated seasons are boring, especially when a team blows everybody out.
I covered the 2006 South team. After the first Blue Springs game – which was a blowout – there was no drama except the second Blue Springs game.
After that, South rolled to the title.
Running clock against Jefferson City. Running clock in the title game.
This team? You never knew what was going to happen.
South wasn’t supposed to win the district this year. But the Jaguars did just that, pounding Blue Springs and Columbia Rock Bridge before winning an exciting game against Liberty, as Logan Moon’s interception near the goal line sealed it.
The Jaguars scrapped against Lee’s Summit North. They scrapped against Rockhurst. They scrapped against Jefferson City, making late defensive stands in all three to help win the game.
I don’t know if I have ever had a high school football season that was this much fun to cover. The only collegiate season is the 1999 Northwest Missouri State football team that lost the first game of the season and won the national title, trailing in the fourth quarter in all four playoff games.
While sitting there after the game, trying to think about how to put this game and season into words, I kept thinking about different highlights through the season.
I thought back to the Jaguar secondary picking off Lee’s Summit five times.
I thought back to Winston Wright getting one extra yard so the Jaguars could hold on against Lee’s Summit North the first time.
I thought back to Dalton’s mind-boggling 94-yard touchdown run against Blue Springs.
I thought back to Trayon Jones coming out of nowhere to be an all-state caliber receiver, making numerous athletic catches throughout the season.
Every game, it seemed like a different person stepped up to play a major role to help South.
The collection of players that I looked at in the first game of the season matured in an amazing way and became a team.
And it was a team that was remarkably fun to watch.
So to all the players on the 2008 Blue Springs South football team, as well as all the coaches, trainers – everyone associated with the team – thank you.
Thank you for this incredible ride you let the fans, media and spectators follow you on.
I don’t know if I will see another one like it.
Yes, the ultimate goal was the championship. But what you guys did this season was more impressive than any championship I have ever seen at the high school level.
When I look back on the 2008 Blue Springs South football team and think about this season, I will smile.
I know there have been tears, frustration, anger, disappointment.
But hopefully, all of the players and coaches look back on this season and have the same reaction I do.