Jaybirds fall to defending state champs in quarterfinals

The Jaybirds may not have come away with the win Friday night in Hermleigh. but “disappointment” is not a word that can be used.

The “standing room only” crowd was treated to some of the most phenomenal football that the six-man version of the sport has to offer. If you have never had the opportunity to watch Grayson Rigdon play, it will be a long time before you have an opportunity to watch another like him. There is no dishonor in falling to a team he plays for.

“Just a phenomenal football team over there,” said Jayton coach Josh Stanaland. “We knew that in order for us to beat them we had to be great and we had to bring our A-plus game and unfortunately we didn’t and ultimately that falls on me.

Stanaland said at the end of the Jaybirds’ 2023 run, “I’m proud of our kids, proud of how they battled, proud of how they competed all year long, great kids, hard workers, I’m proud of them.”

The Jaybirds knew that to have a chance at victory it would require a perfect effort from them and a few mistakes from Benjamin; neither happened. Ultimately the Jaybirds fell 8540 to Benjamin in the UIL quarterfinals.

While no loss is fun to swallow, the Jaybirds know their successful year is far from over. They have become notorious for excelling in every uniform they wear. Less than a year ago they played for a boys basketball state championship, went to state in One Act Play, Accounting, Poetry, Headline Writing, Editorial Writing and Debate, and won state in Robotics. Less than a month ago both their boys and girls won state runner-up trophies in cross country, and now both basketball teams will take the floor with high expectations of a deep playoff run. Few schools can take the same kids, line up in any competition, and compete like the Jaybirds.

This rare resilient mentality keeps a fan base and coaches excited about the future. Stanaland noted, “Just a great group of kids and they are competitors. Whatever we’re doing, whether it’s football, cross country, basketball, or Monopoly they’re going to compete hard and that’s what I love about them. We’re going to get over that hump, not sure when, but it’s coming.”