Hard-nosed, physical and intense are characteristics of any quality football team, and this year’s Mill Valley Jaguars squad has vowed to get tough.

After jumping out to a 3-0 start last season, the Jaguars stumbled and finished with a sub-.500 record at 4-5. The losses they suffered were especially heartbreaking because in four of them, they owned leads late in the second half.

“We want to show more heart, be a better fourth quarter football team and play to our potential,” Jags coach George Radell said.

Senior David Woods, last season’s starting safety and leading offensive threat at halfback with 1,405 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns, fully agrees with his coach.

“Last year we had a good team, but we just didn’t finish some of our games,” Woods said. “That is something that has got to be improved upon.”

While the 4-5 finish and late season letdown might have dampened the spirits of a lesser team, the Jaguars have harnessed their disappointment and become energized during the off-season.

“Last year has motivated our players and they have done everything that we have asked them to do,” Radell said. “They have performed better than any squad I’ve had in the weightroom.”

Although added muscle and a year’s time to mill over what could have been has lit a fire under the Jaguars tails, their real asset comes in the form of experience.

“This year’s team has tremendous leadership from our seniors and is made up of a great deal of unselfish football players,” Radell said. “Coaching them has been fun.”

Two of those leaders, Woods and senior Corey Bryant, the Jaguars starting center and defensive end, are excited about the upcoming season, where the core on both the offense and defense have experienced playing time.

Returning letterwinners: Front row, from left: Earl Johannsen, Chase Elliot, Jack Johnson, David Woods, Bob Farrell, Justin Woods. Back row, from left: Trey Scott, Chris Magochy, Zach Starnes, Corey Bryant, Brian Wood and Ryan Gracey.

“Both our defensive and offensive line is made of seniors, and our defensive backfield is the same returning from last year,” Bryant said.

This experience should upgrade an already powerful offense that led the league in scoring last season at almost 26 points per game, and improve the defense, which has worked hard to increase their conditioning to avoid the same late-game mistakes committed last season.

“We have got to stay tough,” Bryant said. “Last year we rolled over in the fourth quarter, and we have got to stay tough the entire game.”

While Radell could not be happier with his players tough mentality and dedication during the offseason, he understands it takes more than attitude and conditioning to see success on the gridiron.

“I just want to be an unselfish football team, play our best, take care of the football and get better each week,” he said.

While focus seems to be at an all-time high coming into the new year, the Jaguars will face a difficult schedule this season. Five of the nine opponents they face will be in Class 5A, including Olathe North. However, after falling on the losing end of several close, well-fought games last season, and competing at a high level in 7-on-7 games recently, the team is hyped for the season to kick off and primed for success.

“Our goal this season is no different than any other,” Woods said. “Our goal is always to go undefeated. That’s why we push ourselves in the off-season. We want to win state every year.”