Under head coach Bill Cherpak the 2005 Jaguars looked to capitalize on the previous year's success and continue the momentum of the  program.  Ranked preseason #1 in the WPIAL and #1 in the state by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the goals were clear to first win the WPIAL and get back to the PIAA championship.  

The season started with the Jaguars cruising with 5 consecutive shutouts.  Outscoring their opponents and astonishing 223-0.  The team suffered a rash of injuries at the mid point of the season with injuries to quarterback Kevin Franz and defensive back/ wide receiver Dom Decicco.  However they would return after missing two games.  The Jaguars finished the regular season at 8-1.  Losing only to West Mifflin in the final game, and losing the grasp of the Big Seven Conference crown.  Undeterred, the team had bigger goals in sight.

Offensively, Thomas Jefferson was extremely efficient behind the running of two 1,000 yard backs in Dan Giegerich and Nate Nix.  The passing game featured first year starter Kevin Franz who finished a terrific season with over 1,500 yards through the air.  The offensive line was as traditionally tough as ever with Jason "Dirt" Kolodziej and Troy Baxendell.

The 2005 team will be most remembered for their defensive accolades.  As one of the best defenses in school history tallying a school record 7 shutouts and a paltry 6.9 points allowed per game.  Led by two all-state middle linebackers in Nate Nix and Jason Kolodziej, and future division I starters in Chris Drager and Dom Decicco.  

The Jaguars ran roughshod through the playoffs earning an unbelievable 9th  straight semifinals appearance.  They  did not meet their ultimate goals, but had an extremely successful season making it to the finals of the WPIAL before falling to Franklin Regional 31-14.

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

Season:

TJ 41 vs. Belle Vernon 0: Video and articles

TJ 35 vs. Blackhawk 0: Video and articles

TJ 53 vs. Ringgold 0: Video and articles

TJ 49 vs. Cannon Mac 0: Video and articles

TJ 45 vs. Peters 0: Video and articles

TJ 56 vs. EF 7: Video and articles

TJ 10 vs. Gateway 7: Video and articles

TJ 17 vs. Char Valley 3: Video and articles

TJ 15 vs. West Mifflin 28: Video and articles

Playoffs:

TJ 49 vs. Knoch 0: Video and articles

TJ 23 vs. Pine Richland 14: Video and articles

TJ 35 vs. West Allegheny 0: Video and articles

TJ 14 vs. Franklin Regional 31: Video and articles

Roster:

Seniors:

Heath Brickner

Kevin Franz

Josh Finnegan

Jimmy Lowe         

Tom Russo       

Shaun Johnston

Brad Bakalarski

Anthony Jaskulski

Ryan Browne         

Matt Bissell      

Brian Altman        

Troy Baxendell

Jason Kolodziej

Nate Nix  

George Meszaros

Juniors:

Arminas MacIulis

Dominic Decicco

Cory Lotis         

Dan Giegerich

Brent Kreider

Matt Deangelis

Chris Drager         

Jonathan Licht

Goerge Nahay

Mike Battle         

Ryan Baxendell

Matt Donlin         

Ryan Kutscher

Shane Mudron

Adam Zampatti

Josh Magnotti

Rich Lattanzi       

Andrew Lipnicky

Ben Werner   

Doug Bittel

Eric Schwartzmiller 

Michael Coll  

James McKown

Keegan Heidkamp 

Kevin Graham

Sophomores:

Zach Decicco   

Corey Matthews

Matt Westwood

Nate Bota     

Bill Helmick   

Arthur James

Fred Huebner

Ken Fife     

Dan Corbett   

Joel Richard       

Tom Yogan       

Karl Troetschel

Brian Grant       

Drew Albrecht

Ryan Koller         

Cory Smith         

Dave Bishoff         

Lucas Nix       

Corey Matheson

Logan Breisinger   

Jake Parenti         

Robert Ruffing

Orlando Torres

Trevor Wildman

Keith Siemen         

Sam Scheidter

Freshman:

Rob McCall