Regionals

Mill Valley and Aquinas deliver another classic in what could be their last game ever

What could be the last game between two titans of Kansas high school football ended just like it should have. Mill Valley vs Aquinas was decided in the last seconds, and with emotions high. The two programs, so evenly matched, produced another classic.

One of the most vivid memories of last year’s 23-22 win was the sight of Blake Jay walking off the field in tears. There were more tears this year, but they weren’t the same. Jay put forth a superhuman effort for the Jaguars this year in leading them to a 28-27 victory to advance in the Kansas class 5A playoffs.

“I'm in tears right now, but it's not the same at all, man. I love these guys. We put everything into it,” Jay said. “We worked so hard for this. I don't even know — I'm in such joy right now.”

Jay was everything the Jaguars needed him to be and more.

Need a passer? He threw for 133 yards and a touchdown

Need a runner? He ran for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Need a punt returner? He pulled off a 47 yard return to set up a touchdown.

And with the game riding on an onside kick, Jay was put on the hands team where the kick landed safely in his hands, essentially ending the game.

“He's just one of those special athletes that doesn't come around very often,” said Jaguars head coach Joel Applebee. “I knew that he was going to handle it tonight.”

While Jay was doing it all offensively, the Jaguars defense was equally up to the task when it mattered the most.

Mill Valley had to have a sense of deja vu all over again when Aquinas scored with under a minute left in the game to pull within one point 28-27. Just like last year, the Saints decided to go for two and the win. Unlike last year, the Jaguars defense came up huge as a swarm of defenders, led by defensive back Kendyn Charbonneau, converged on all-state running back Calin Arndt stopping him for no gain on the conversion try and ending the Saints season.

“We knew it was going to come down to this,” said Applebee. “
I mean, it always does.”

Aquinas to the opening kickoff and methodically moved the ball down the field and scored. The Jaguars answered with a Jay touchdown run to make the score 7-7.

Later in the game the Saints had the ball first and goal inside the 5 yard line looking to take back the lead. But the Jaguars defense held firm and denied the Aquinas the end zone turning the ball over on downs at the one yard.

“It showed [Aquinas] how we fight, man,” said senior defensive lineman Hayden Heller. “We have grit and we've been doing this since summer. We were just prepared for it and it was a big turning point in the game.”

Indeed it was. The Jaguars moved the ball from their own one yard line and put together a 99 play drive that ended with a Max Piva touchdown run to put Jaguars up 14-7.

The Saints quickly rebounded and moved the ball down the field as the first half ticked away. With three seconds left, Arndt crossed the goal line to tie the game at 14.

Mill Valley dominated the third quarter scoring 14 points thanks to big plays from tight end Stone Zambo to take a 28-14 lead into the final quarter. 

Zambo put together his best game of the year with three catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

“Stone Zambo had the game of his life, man,” said Jay. “I can’t think him enough for catching my terrible passes. He’s a great athlete.”

But the Saints kept battling and cut the lead to 28-27 before their doomed two point conversion attempt.

“I wanted these kids to really believe in themselves and come out here and play to win the game,” said Applebee. “And I felt like they did that, especially on that last stop.”

While a game between Mill Valley and Aquinas usually has state championship implications, this year it’s early in the playoffs and it’s a long road to Emporia where the Class 5A title game will be played.

“We can’t think about how big this win is,” said Heller. “It’s just another game in the playoffs. We just move on to the next. That’s what we preach - 1 and 0 and we have to go out there and win the next one.”

The next one will be St. James Academy, Nov. 14, at St. James.