Unfortunately, high school football teams are unable to petition the WIAA for a do-over.

After Saturday night’s deflating 35-28 loss to Marquette in the quarterfinals of the Division-1 playoffs at Indian Trail Stadium, Bradford was stopped three victories shy of its ultimate goal.

Once the disappointment melts away, though, the 2010 season will not be able to get here fast enough for the Bradford program and its faithful followers.

“We’ll give these kids a couple of weeks off and get right back at it,” Bradford coach Jed Kennedy said after the defeat. “I promise you that.”

While they lose valuable seniors like Cody Brady, Chris Chamness, Nathan Korth, Michael Mayfield, Tylerr Ortiz, Billy Sangbusch, Brad Slomkowski, Casey Taylor, Torrie Tyson and Mitchell Ziegler among others, the Red Devils should be one of the favorites to win the State crown next season.

Why the optimism?

Program has depth

Junior-dominated with a few sophomores also seeing major playing time, Bradford’s entire program enjoyed success in 2009.

In addition to the varsity team finishing with an 11-1 record, the sophomore team went 9-0, the varsity reserve team went 3-1, the freshman ‘A’ team went 6-1-1 and the freshman ‘B’ team went 3-3.

And, Saturday’s first loss will only fuel the fire in the off-season for returning players like Thailor Bauer, Alex Callies, Hunter Corrigan, Garris Covington, Gino DeBartolo, Josh Eckert, Josh Feekes, Ryan Furtney, Melvin Gordon, Mykel Graham, Vonte Jackson, Chris Millard, Quanzell Murphy, Tony Nicolas, Justin Otto, David Sauceda, John Stevens and Trae Waynes.

“They’re young,” Marquette coach Dick Basham said. “Their best days are ahead of them.”

The Red Devils will undoubtedly rally around an obvious motto for the 2010 season — “Unfinished business.”

Andrew Horschak is in his 15th year of covering high school football for the News. Contact him at ahorschak@kenoshanews.com