INDIANS HAVE NO REGRETS AFTER LOSS

COLUMBIA -- The Jackson High Indians' dream of the school's first-ever state football championship died Friday afternoon, but it found a proper burial ground -- Faurot Field.

While a few tears flowed after Jackson's 12-6 loss to Excelsior Springs in the Class 4A state championship game, the Indians found some consolation in the burial site.

"It was a great experience," said senior linebacker Reagan McDowell. "It was a dream come true just to make it here."

"It was great. I loved it," said senior linebacker Bryan Foster. "It was a chance of a lifetime. Not everybody gets the chance to experience this.

"I'm not ashamed or disappointed in anything we did. I think we had an outstanding season. Everyone came out and played hard and did what they had to do."

The Indians conclude the season with a 12-2 record. An eight-game winning streak was snapped in the championship game.

"It's an honor to be a part of this team," said senior tailback Rob Langford. "On a given day, we could have beat them."

Jackson coach Carl Gross saw 21 seniors play their final game and saluted them in his post-game press conference.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of the seniors for enduring through some tough times and leading us up here and giving us a chance to play for a state championship," said Gross.

"Two good football teams met today and we came out on the short end," said defensive coordinator Van Hitt. "If we played them again next Friday, I think we'd beat them."

And while a close game always carries the dreaded ~"what ifs," the Indians found an item to help console the pain.

"I thought everybody played as hard as they could," said junior linebacker Nathan Norman. "I think it helps taking the loss a little easier, if there is an easy way to take one."