The Thomas Jefferson Jaguars in 2001 looked to one better last season's WPIAL championship runner up finish.  The team led by a talented seniors class won the Keystone Conference in a tie with West Alegheny, but  their season ended in the semifinals losing to a very tough Hopewell.  The team was lead by seniors Nick Cherish, Bryan Englert, and Nate Starrett.  They would ultimately finish the season at 9-3.

The big showdown cam early in 2001, as West Allegheny loomed.  Coming into the game the powerful Indians of West Allegheny were ranked #1 in the WPIAL and defending state champions led by All State quarterback Tyler Palko, and Thomas Jefferson was not ranked.  The game did not start well when starting quarterback Matt Flaus broke his hand, as the offense struggled to move the ball.  John Drager intercepted a Tyler Palko pass on TJ's own goal line and runs the length of the field (93 yards) in the last minute to win the game. The defense scored both touchdowns in the game, as Brandon Dusch also returned a fumble 23 yards.  The game was sealed late on diving interception by Nick Cherish as West Allegheny was mounting a comeback of their own.

The offense was led by running backs Jon Drager, who was injured midway through the season, and Nate Starrett a converted wide receiver due to the injury to Drager.  Each runner contributed over 500 yards behind the blocking of a young, large, and improving offensive line.  The quarterback to start the season was Matt Flaus, and was then replaced by sophomore Peter Winovich after a broken thumb sidelined him.  This would be only the second time a sophomore quarterback started in TJ's history.  He was supported by a talented wide receiving core led by Cherish.

Defensively, Cherish, Starrett, and Englert were stalwarts, but were also led by players such as Brandon Dusch, Ed Daley, Anton Plantz, and 

As the Jaguars face another loss in the semifinals to Hopewell, it does not diminish the adversity of injuries this team had to overcome just to be playing in the semifinals.  It just was not their night that night, and the season was a complete success.

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

Season:

TJ 20 vs.  Belle Vernon 13:  Video and articles

TJ 24 vs.  Montour  0: Video and articles

TJ 13 vs. West Allegheny 9: Video and articles

TJ 0 vs.  Uniontown 26: Video and articles

TJ 13 vs.  KO 17: Video and articles

TJ 14 vs. EF 7: Video and articles

TJ 49 vs.  McGuffey 7: Video and articles

TJ  31 vs. Char Valley 6: Video and articles

TJ 16 vs.  West Mifflin 13: Video and articles

Playoffs:

TJ 42 vs.  Derry Area  14: Video and articles

TJ 17 vs Blackhawk 7:  Video and articles

TJ 14 vs. Hopewell 21: Video and articles

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

Roster:

Seniors:

Nate Starrett

Nick Cherish

Bryan Englert

Brandon Dusch

Jon Hoffman

Matt Flaus

Nick Consoli

Tony Macuga

Matt Trumpie

Juniors:

Jon Drager

Ed Daley

Tony Cappelli

Tom Donohue

Mike Rehak

Luke Billman

Anton Plantz

Ken Stanko

Mark Pazo

Wayne Garrett

Tony Ferrare

Matt Kenny

Sophomores:

Pete Winovich

Tom McCafferty

Jim Donohue

Ryan Hicks

Matt Magdic 

Anthony Hritz

Nick Matty

Matt McCall

Mark Yocco

Jon Guladzieck

Drew Barilla

Sean Trasp

Martin Heiber

Chad Stepanik

Jason Lloyd

Jon Tuladziek

Jon Brown

Aaron Archibald