The Sedalia Smith-Cotton Tigers aren't your typical No. 4 seed.
They proved that Monday.
"What happened is what we all knew could happen," Jays coach Scott Blake said after top-seeded Jefferson City dropped a 1-0 decision to Smith-Cotton in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 11 Tournament at Eddie Horn Field.
"From top to bottom, this district is tough and I'm not sure there was a reward for getting the top seed."
The Tigers (17-4-1) may have been the bottom of the four seeds, but they did have a 3-1 victory earlier this season against the Jays at the Kickapoo Tournament.
"That can work for them because they know they can play with us," Blake said. "But on the other hand, it could have worked for us because it's hard to beat somebody twice.
"But looking at it, I can see where it inspired them."
It was the lone victory against a potential district opponent for Smith-Cotton during the season.
Jefferson City was 8-0 this season in home contests and wanted to establish its presence early in Monday's contest.
"We wanted to get first tackle, first shot, first goal," Blake said.
But it was the Tigers who tallied the contest's lone score. It came 16 minutes into the first half, when Jordan Lawson slotted a pass between a pair of Jays defenders to Alex Esquivel, who knocked it into the back of the net.
"We were about to change our shape a little bit and that's when they scored, so that one is on me," Blake said. "We need to make adjustments quicker.
"It was a great pass and a great shot."
The score was an example of the Tigers' talented offensive attack.
"They have that flair," Blake said. "They are better than most of the teams we've played when it comes to having creative players.
"They can play off the outside of their foot, they all can dribble the ball. We have had success against teams that like to pass the ball, but when teams dribbled it at us, that created problems at times. They can be a special team in the final third of the field."
The Jays had a handful of offensive opportunities, especially in the second half.
"We got the game slowed down, played more to our tempo," Blake said.
The Jays had six corner kicks in the final 40 minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net. Jefferson City finished with an 8-7 edge in total shots and an 8-4 bulge in corner kicks.
Jefferson City ends the season at 16-7-1 in Blake's first year as head coach.
"You knew there was a potential for this, credit to Smith-Cotton," Blake said. "They play inspired, they come after you.
"But this one stings a little bit."
Sedalia will face Rock Bridge in the district title game at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Rock Bridge (15-6-2) defeated Hickman 2-1 in double overtime in Monday's second semifinal.