The clock struck midnight for a McGuinness team with a Cinderella mentality.  Not too many people believed that the Irish could get past the first round, let alone the semifinals.  However, the Irish overachieved in 2011, and for the time being, played their last down in Class 4A.

In a packed Sapulpa High School football stadium, Wagoner had more on the line than just a state championship bid.  Pride.  The Fighting Irish took away the opportunity of two past Bulldog teams from reaching the state title game, but it was different this time.

The Irish struck first, but after that, it was all Wagoner.  There was some hope left in the tank for the Irish faithful following a touchdown that cut the Bulldog lead to one touchdown, but Wagoner ran away with the game in the second half.

Overall the performance was not an ideal way to exit the postseason, but seasons are not defined by one game.  McGuinness came a long way from their loss in Clinton.  The Irish were overpowered, because Wagoner continually did the little things right.  They continually moved the chains, and their defense gave the Irish offense no room for error.

The Bulldogs were the better team last night.  However, this is an Irish team that should be looking at the positives.  First year head coach Justin Jones said it himself.  No one expected them to be in a position to earn a spot to play in Stillwater.  What happened against Sallisaw and Harrah were no fluke.  The Irish were knocking on the door of returning a gold ball to the BMCHS campus.

However, some times teams can sneak up on you and take away that momentum.  No one is perfect.  Especially after the only remaining undefeated team in 4A lost to Clinton.  It was a 4A state tournament that was up for grabs, and Wagoner reached a bit higher.

Next season will be very different.  No Tharp, Evenson, Konarik, or Nguyen.

No Shadid, Johnson, or Pozo.  No Branum, Neuberger, or Augustus.  No Chip or Jewell.  No Thompson.

No Zac or Mulcahy. No Louie.

However, the underclassmen on this team stepped up this year.  The backfield turned from a question mark to an answer for offensive production.

The linemen provided ample time to make a play happen, and junior Will Harjo even got a snap on Friday night to show off his arm.

No one knows what is in store for McGuinness in the first year back in 5A next season.  However, the team is in good hands with Justin Jones.  10-3 is nothing to frown upon for a first year coach.  He took a team, and took them to another level.

Irish football won’t be around for another nine months, but the legacy left by this group of seniors and the way they battled their way past adversity will last forever.