The crushing news from this past Friday night in Port St Joe was the season ending 3-2 loss to an outstanding Sharks team. The Hornets finish the season in the regional championship game with a 11-1 record.

When the game ended, we all looked at each other in disbelief and was saddened that this incredible group of over achievers was not going to be together on the football field again. It is going to take awhile to get over this one. Someone asked me if I thought the Sharks were over rated. No, I do not. I have always thought that Mayo was just that good. This team was one of five that had as good a chance to win the state title as anybody. The problem was that the Sharks were one of those five and there had to be a loser in the game. My view of the Sharks was one of respect. Their fans were certainly a class act and sportsmanship was a quality as the Shark fans had nothing but praise for the Hornets.

But consider a few highlighted items that this football team brought to Mayo this year. We will get to the tremendous efforts of the football team, but take a look at the other intangibles.

Before the Hornets took to the road, the school and community gave the Hornets a tremendous sendoff as the Hornets headed out. The community of Mayo embraced this team and believed in them, win or lose. A long three and a half hour drive did not stop a very spirited group of Hornet fans from equaling the Sharks home crowd.

And how about those cheerleaders? What a job they did all year long, and did another great job in this game.

The band certainly stepped up the pace this year. They were outstanding all year long and made this group of Hornet fans fun to be around. I found myself losing track of the football games this year as a result of getting caught up in the spirit going on in the stands. This was really fun and made each football game a great experience.

My heart goes out to the seniors on this team. Garrett Bates, Ryan Slayton, Kalem Jackson, Thomas Parker, Zane Walker, Travis Frier, Zachary McCray, Morgan Rutherford, Brian Scott, Michael Wimberley, Shawn Jones, and Jason Troutman all left it out on the field in each game this season, including this game. Even when the contest was over, the team refused to except defeat without trying to make something happen.

The Hornets simply needed just one break in the game, but it never came. There was some close catches on the sideline by Slayton and Parker which were ruled incomplete. There was also a nice interception and return by Slayton that was ruled down at the point of the catch. It seemed everytime the Hornets would strike for a big play, every official on the field could not wait to get that yellow flag onto the field.

The Hornets scored first in the game with 16 seconds to go in the first quarter. The Sharks were backed up to the 15 yard line looking at a third and 13. The pass would be on target at the 28, but a mammoth hit by Slayton knocked the ball out and forced a punt. The snap sailed into the endzone and Mayo had a 2-0 lead. That lead held up until the Sharks connected on a 44 yard field goal with 40 seconds to play in the first half.

The first quarter only saw three possessions, one by Mayo and two by the Sharks thanks to two outstanding offensive lines. The Sharks took the initial drive to the Mayo 42 before Walker broke up a pass attempt to force a punt. The punt would land inside the one with the defender laying half in the endzone, but that is where the ball would be spotted. The Hornets would use up most of the first quarter getting the ball to the Sharks 21. Morgan Rutherford would get the initial first down on a second effort, with Eric McIntyre busting a couple of nice runs for another first down. Parker would make a nice catch and run to gain first down yardage to the 43. McIntyre would bust for 32 yards to the Sharks 25. Rutherford would advance the ball to the 13 before a key penalty moved the ball back. The drive stalled at the 21.

Following the safety, Mayo once again was on the move following a key first down catch by sophomore Matt Milton to the Sharks 28. An interception would give the Sharks possession at their own five.

The Sharks attempted to take advantage of great field position with 1:19 to go in the half, but Josue Licea broke up a pass, while Slayton and Walker provided coverage and broke up a couple of passes before the field goal to end the half.

The Hornets used almost seven minutes of the third quarter on the opening possession of the second half. A key reception by Slayton on third down kept the drive alive. Rutherford would pick up one first down, while quarterback Chad Hempstead pulled the ball down and gained just enough yardage for another set of downs. Another holding call stalled the drive.

Slayton would bring the Sharks next drive to a stall with his interception even though a nice return was negated.

Mayo would make one last gasp in the fourth quarter after McIntyre took advantage of a great block on the corner and faced down the sideline to the Sharks 30, but every flag available came out on the field to move the ball back to midfield.

Defensively, the Hornets shut down a team that had only been held below 30 points once, and that was 13 against Blountstown. The reason was unofficially 10 tackles and a forced fumble by Shawn Jones, six tackles, three of which were losses by Aaron Gresham, and totally dominating play by the secondary. Slayton would make 7 tackles, broke up two passes, and had an interception. He also made two nice special team returns.

Walker broke up a couple of passes and provided outstanding coverage to prevent completions. He also made four key tackles.

Licea really came on strong for the Hornets late in the season, and broke up a pass in this game while making 2 key tackles, one which stopped an apparent touchdown.

Powe certainly played his best game of the season recording six tackles, three of which went for losses and forced a fumble.

A special thank you has to go out to this team for the season they provided. This was a special group that brought the school closer to each other. They made all of us believe. In my mind, this was the best team in the state, both on and off the field. I would certainly encourage each Hornets fan to pat these guys on the back for the efforts they turned in this season. This was certainly fun and made a Hornet fan out of this particular sportswriter. Great job Hornets.