The Pattonville varsity football season was definitely one for the books.

After winning many contests, and advancing to the state championship game for the first time in 17 years, many would say it was one of the most exciting seasons in a while.

For the football seniors, it was a bittersweet feeling playing under the lights at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.

“When I first showed up to the stadium, I was really scared, but then I realized that it wasn’t going to be that bad and I needed to relax and just play the game,” senior Derrick Boyce III (12) said.

The game ended in a 1-point loss to the Falcons after they scored the game-winning touchdown and converted a 2-point conversion with 9 seconds left in the game.

“Overall, football went really well, but the season didn’t end how we wanted it to but it was so exciting,” Boyce said. “It feels good and bad knowing it was my last time playing for high school.”

Boyce, though it was his last high school football season, looks forward to the varsity basketball season which he transitioned into immediately.

The football championship game was played on Nov. 25 and Boyce was suiting up for the Pirates at the Pattonville Tournament on Nov. 27.

“I can’t wait to see what we look like,” he said. “This season should be interesting.”

The Pirates lost to Hazelwood East 76-56 in the consolation final of the tournament.

With having no offseason, it keeps him on his toes.

Boyce hopes that the basketball team’s season is as successful as the football team. If it is, he will again have little time between seasons and move directly from the basketball court to the track.