Alas, Blue Valley High's memorable turnaround comes to end

For the Blue Valley High School football Tigers, it all came to an end Friday with the team’s 16-14 loss at home to undefeated Olathe North in the sub-state (semifinal) round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Or did it?

In terms of its legacy, no, at least not in the eyes of Tigers coach Steve Rampy.

And that is telling, considering the fact that during Rampy’s long tenure at the school this vaunted program owns four state championships; has finished state runner-up four other times; and now has reached the state semifinals twice in as many years.

Why? After all, how many teams parlay a 1-6 start into one converted enemy field goal away from a state title game appearance?

Meet the 2009 Blue Valley Tigers, whom earlier this season rival St. Thomas Aquinas coach Mike Thomas called “the best 1-4 team I’ve ever seen.”

“The legacy they leave may be greater than any other team at Blue Valley because of how long we’ll all remember them,” said Rampy, whose program last won a state title in 2006. Both of Rampy’s sons, Zach and Luke, played for that Tigers team.

“They have redefined perseverance and determination in our football program,” Rampy continued. “They will always serve as our example of overcoming adversity and never, ever quitting.”

Following their 1-6 start, the Tigers ran off four straight wins heading into their season-ending matchup with the Eagles.

A 33-yard Olathe North field goal with 14 seconds to play served to end the quest, but also has inspired one special legacy in Stilwell.

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