Offensively they were fun to watch with the ball flying through the air to receivers McCafferty, Brad Dawson, and Aaron Archibald and Ryan Hicks running the ball.  However, the passing game would go down as the most prolific pass offense in TJ's long history.  Every school record in the passing department was set in 2003.  The running game was just as tough with running back Ryan Hicks amassing over 1,200 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns.   The offensive line was traditionally strong as ever with players across the front like Nick Matty, Martin Heiber,  Jim Donohue,  Mark Yocco, and  Matt McCall.   Chad Stepanik was the tightend.

The team was poised to edge coach Billl Cherpak over the hurdle of the semifinals where the team never surpassed after making it 5 straight years.  At North Hills High School on a perfect fall evening, the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars took on the Moon Tigers. Leading the Moon Tigers into the stadium that day was A.Q. Shipley. A Penn State Alumni and now Indianapolis Colt, Shipley was one of the most highly regarded Offensive/Defensive tackles in the WPIAL that year. But the Jaguars took to the game with a game plan that they thought would get them to the title game. Assistant, and former head coach, Jack Garrity spoke to the team before that game, something a little different that a usual pre-game. TJ took to the field and up by 9-6 late in the 2nd quarter when the crowd fell silent. The Jaguars starting offensive guard and inside linebacker, Jason Kolodziej stayed down after the play. He was taken off the field and immediately to a near by hospital with a torn meniscus. TJ went into the locker room at the half up by a few. In the locker room hung #54 that each player touched before returning to the field. Kolodziej's jersey was brought out to the sidelines starting the second half. TJ had a great charge from their offense in the second half. Winovich connected with McCafferty on a score to put the game out of reach for the Tigers and the famous picture printed the next day in the Post-Gazette. McCafferty down on one knee, Heinz Ketchup bottle aimed and squeeze went a stream of outdated ketchup into the seniors mouth. Little did anyone know was that the ketchup was secretly hidden in  Cisco Langlois'  pocket the entire game. Thomas Jefferson beat the Moon Tigers 19-6 and advanced to the WPIAL title game at Heinz Field. Unfortunately Greg Hough and the Rams from Pine-Richland were to much to handle and the Jaguars lost 21-7. However that season will live on as the "get over the hump" team and lead to the Jaguars success and a state powerhouse football program.

The 2003 team arguably could go down in TJ lore with the 1971 team as one of the best teams in school history not to win the WPIAL championship.

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

Season:

TJ 38 vs. Belle Vernon 7: Video and articles

TJ 35 vs.  Kittanning  0: Video and articles

TJ 39 vs. KO 6: Video and articles

TJ 48 vs. EF 7: Video and articles

TJ 44 vs. Peters 20: Video and articles

TJ 19 vs.  Char Valley 0: Video and articles

TJ 39 vs.  Waynesburg 3: Video and articles

TJ 30 vs.  McGuffey 7: Video and articles

TJ 30 vs.  West Mifflin 7:  Video and articles

Playoffs:

TJ 38 vs. Kittanning  6: Video and articles

TJ 42 vs. Hampton 7: Video and articles

TJ 19 vs. Moon 6: Video and articles

TJ 7 vs. Pine Richland 21: Video and articles

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

Roster:

Seniors:

Pete Winovich

Tom McCafferty

Jim Donohue

Ryan Hicks

Matt Magdic 

Martin Heiber

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

Juniors:

Brad Dawson

Evan Browne

Kurt Martin

Aaron Archibald

George Maculin

Jon Consoli

Adam Plantz

Kurtis Meyer

Josh Pauley

Derek Martin

Sophomores:

Heath Brickner

Kevin Franz

Josh Finnegan

Jared Lowe

Tom Russo

Shaun Johnston

Brad Bakalarski

Anthony Jaskulski 

Ryan Browne

Matt Bissell

Brian Altman

Troy Baxendell

Jason Kolodziej

Nate Nix

George Meszaros

Jason Kolodziej