Many seniors at Joseph High School went out with a bang.

In their last football season, seniors worked together and finished with an 11-2 record and a No. 2 ranking in the state. As freshmen, they helped the school advance to the state playoffs for the first time since 1958. Then, they turned the once-historic feat into routine. They can always brag how they made the playoffs three times in their four years, including this year’s ride to the championship game.

“It’s gonna be hard to let this go,” Sam Garnett said. “We worked so hard for four years to make it here. We were so close.”

This year’s Eagles boasted 10 seniors. Eight were all-stars. District coaches voted Erik Steen – who transferred from Enterprise as a sophomore – to the honor roll as a quarterback, kicker and punter. Grant Marcum (a more recent transfer from Baker High) made the All-District first team as a running back and a kick returner. Lineman Ethan Lowe earned honors on offense and defense. Caleb DeBoie joined teammates among the district stars, a year after coaches named him an honorable mention to the All-State roster. Meanwhile, Garnett, Gavin Baynes, Clancy Warnock and Nick Moncrief also earned district honors.

“This has been like my family,” Garnett added. “It didn’t hit me until my junior year. Freshman year, it’s just a game. But last year, it suddenly hit me: oh, there’s only one year left and then its all over. And now, it kills you.”

Next year, the Eagles will have to make up for the graduation of almost every starter. However, several younger players gained experience. Linemen John Jordan and Josh Alvarez as well as defensive back Will Garrett played frequently. And often, victories were decided early enough for reserves to take over. Zach Staidle took a fair share of snaps as quarterback. He threw a scoring pass to Ian Baynes against Arlington. Trent Martin and Trevor Lewis took hand offs in the state playoff against Jordan Valley.

Hector del Castillo is the Chieftain’s sportswriter. E-mail hdelcastilllo@wallowa.com