After three straight losses in the middle of the season, Andover Central turned the tide around, winning six in a row and clinching a berth in the state championship game against St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Jaguars made their fourth state championship appearance, and first since 2021. 

St. Thomas Aquinas jumped out to a 13-0 lead when the Jaguars could cut into the lead thanks to a second-quarter touchdown pulling them within six, 13-7. 

St. Thomas pushed the lead to 28-7 by halftime. 

The Jaguars were able to hold St. Thomas to just one touchdown in the second half, finishing their season as class 4A runner-ups 35-7 with a 9-4 record. 

“Our guys were disappointed,” Andover Central head coach Derek Tuttle said. “They played so hard and with such heart through the playoff run, so when the end turns out the wrong way, it’s tough, especially for the seniors. I was so proud of this group for how they kept working to improve every week. They were very determined and had a lot of fun, especially in November. It’s a great group of young men.”