Thanks to a 27-point second quarter last Friday night at Whitehall, the Columbus Academy football fans in attendance started thinking ahead. They went to their smart phones and the Internet in search of scores from other games.

On their minds: Will Academy make the Division V, Region 20 playoffs?

That question was the topic of conversation for the fans, players and coaches after Academy defeated Whitehall 43-27 last Friday. It remained the topic late into the evening.

On Saturday morning, Will Boeckman and his teammates found out their fate. Academy finished in ninth place with 16.45 points, behind St. Henry at 17.05.

"It was a bum feeling," Boeckman said. "We came in the morning for our lifting and hopefully begin practice for next week's game. To finish so close and not get it is hard to take."

Academy's coaches were up late crunching the numbers and monitoring unofficial Web sites in hopes of seeing the Vikings creep into the top eight. When the team left Whitehall, coach Mark Barren felt there was a strong chance his team made the playoffs.

"I knew there was a chance we could potentially win and not be in," Barren said. "Looking at the potential scenarios, essentially more things had to happen for us not to get in rather than us to get in.

"Bottom line is we came up just short and we're definitely playing our best football of the season. In the second half of the year, we were steadily improving."

Academy finished at 8-2 overall and tied Granville for first in the MSL-Ohio at 6-1. Academy beat Granville 36-35 on Sept. 17 after converting a two-point conversion with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Three games later, Academy slipped up and lost to Heath 47-27.

"I know we were disappointed, but once they look back, they'll realize it's an outstanding season," Barren said. "We are the only team to beat Granville during the year and we shared the league championship. There is a lot to be proud of."

Academy also earned the program's first wins over Newark Catholic (27-19 on Oct. 2) and four-time defending league champion Licking Valley (47-14 on Oct. 23).

"We're proud of winning a share of the league," Boeckman said. "We beat Licking Valley and Newark Catholic for the first time in school history and that Granville game was definitely our high point. We're disappointed, but looking back it was a great year."

Boeckman is one of 13 seniors Academy will lose. Among those expected to return include the Vikings' backfield of juniors Josh Hill (QB), Preston Pearson (FB) and Austin Peterman (RB).

Pearson led the team in rushing yards (1,001) and touchdowns (16) on 104 carries. Peterman had 955 yards and 13 touchdowns on 109 carries. Hill finished 59-for-121 passing for 1,071 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Senior Jordan Hoffman was his primary receiver with 528 yards and five touchdowns on 15 receptions.

"We lose some very good seniors, but we also have some very good underclassmen returning," Barren said. "People look at our backfield and realize Hill, Pearson and Peterman are all back. In addition to the skill guys, we also had some underclassmen playing the line by either starting or getting regular repetitions by being rotators."

Academy will not only have a chance at defending their MSL-Ohio title, but earn redemption and qualify for the playoffs. With that goal being a year away, Barren is making sure his returning players focus on what they can control.

"We have to work hard and probably every singe coach will tell their kids to go work hard, improve and get better when you come back next year," Barren said. "We've got to realize if people look at you and think you can be good, not to get too big of a head. The bottom line is, we have to go out and prove it on the field."

At a glance

•Record: 8-2 overall, 6-1 (T-first) in MSL-Ohio

•Seniors lost: Will Boeckman, Vincent Caffee, Ariel Chay, Anthony Ciminello, John Durell, Jordan Hoffman, Ben Krempley, Kym Littlefield, Andrew Maurer, Jeff May, Jacob Peters, Mike Roehrenbeck and Travis Rooke

•Key returnees: Josh Hill, Preston Pearson and Austin Peterman