There are multiple ways to look at the 2015 Jefferson City Jays.
If you take the negative route, go for it. You have the ultimatum: Despite the Jays (9-2) best record since they went 12-1 as a state semifinalist in 1999, they didn't make it back to where they made it a season ago - fighting for a district title game.
The goal was to win a district title. Instead, they bowed out in the district semifinals to Blue Springs South. The game was in reach for a while, but eventually got out of hand as the Jaguars took a 48-21 result.
It's easy to point out what went wrong in the game that abruptly sent the 2015 Jays' season to a screeching halt.
The Jays were simply outplayed.
They didn't stop the run. They didn't run the ball well. They turned the ball over twice, both leading to Jaguar scores.
Here we had a Jefferson City team that entered Friday's district semifinal contest on an eight-game winning streak. Unfortunately for the Jays, they just ran into a better a team in Blue Springs South.
It was the type of matchup you would like to avoid. But the one-loss Jays had no choice, drawing the No. 3-seed behind two undefeated squads in No. 2 Blue Springs South and No. 1 Francis Howell.
Take the positive road and you look at their body of work this season: The Jays rolled through the regular season with big wins against Battle, Rockhurst and Rock Bridge twice.
Jefferson City's lone loss came at C.B.C., who is currently undefeated and is poised to make a deep run in the Class 6 postseason.
The Jays showed off its fresh aerial attack with junior quarterback Gunnar See taking the reigns. Senior Denzel Wilson showed off his ability at the running back position.
In the season opener back in August, the balanced attack put up 64 points at McCluer North. Like most teams, the Jays had no problem with Hickman and DeSmet this season.
Jefferson City faced adversity with quite the road trip to Rogers, Ark. After a bus change, an assistant coach getting into an accident and a poor start to the game, the Jays appeared to be on their way to a second loss.
Twenty-one unanswered points and 10 minutes later, they were celebrating a come-from-behind road victory.
Defeating Rock Bridge on the Bruins' Homecoming only boosted the Jays confidence even more; especially for the defense, which clamped down for three straight scoreless quarters to cap off a 31-21 road win.
There's no need to dive into the easy Homecoming win against Confluence Prep, but the following victory against Battle was the game of the season for the Jays.
It was a 44-14 blowout win that sent the 2014 Class 5 champs to its first loss since the Jays beat them 364 days prior.
The Jays took care of business with a 55-20 win in the classic matchup against Rockhurst, finishing the regular season 8-1.
Jefferson City head coach Ted LePage was confident prior to the Blue Springs South challenge, as they took on the tougher district opener opponent in Rock Bridge. They won 31-14 in the rematch, while the Jaguars easily beat Troy Buchanan, 56-0.
Then it all came down to Friday night in Blue Springs.
A light rain sprayed the area throughout the afternoon. It continued into the night, eventually turning into a hard, steady rain that forced both teams to hit the ground running.
The Jays just couldn't keep up.
Personally, in my first months in Jefferson City, I can't compare this year's squad to others.
But I do know this year's Jays was a quality team that in different circumstances was that close to battling for a district title.
Until next year, football season.
Let's shoot some hoops.