The Fairborn Paper

But if one thing was clear through the Braves’ playoff run, it was that Shawnee’s players understand the rarity of the accomplishment of getting to the state title game.

“They’re hurting now, but they know what they’ve done,” Shawnee offensive coordinator Shawn Jarzab said after the game. “So many guys want to get here and never can. And even if we came out on the short end today, I think I can speak for everyone on the team when I say that this will be positively remembered by everyone.

“Somebody once said, ‘Don’t be upset because it ended; feel great and blessed that you were able to ride that journey.’ That’s what we were able to do.”

The Braves were able to overcome a size advantage against Cardinal Mooney and competed throughout the game. Jarzab said the way Shawnee played was indicative of how tough the team really was.

“I hate to use that cliché, but it’s the size of the fight in a dog,” Jarzab said. “Our kids came out fired up and ready to go, and they weren’t going to back down from anything.”

Defensive coordinator Devin Spitzer said Shawnee proved its elite status by playing Cardinal Mooney close. The state title was the eighth in the history of Mooney’s program.

“They’re great kids,” Spitzer said. “That’s how you make a special run is to have great kids like this. They came in here and fought against a great team. You see the type of players Mooney had, and when you have the opportunity to beat a team like that, you know you’re pretty good.”

Jarzab said that the Braves will use the playoff run as motivational tool to build off of in future seasons.

“The bar’s been set very high, but that’s a good thing,” Jarzab said. “Now the guys now what they can achieve and what they can work toward.”

Spitzer said the Braves will be motivated to try and return to the state final.

“They guys shouldn’t be intimidated or shocked by anything anymore,” Spitzer said. “Every year is a new situation, but I know we’ll be hungry to get back here and have this type of success again.”