Porters Chapel’s first loss to Lee (Ark.) Academy was a lesson, like a beating that builds character.

The second was just a crushing blow, a kick to the gut from which there is no way to retaliate or even recover.

When Lee quarterback Landon Bullard scored with 27 seconds to play in last Friday’s Academy-A North State championship game, it seemed to do more than beat the Eagles. It ended the best season in school history, possibly their best chance to win a state championship, and crushed their spirit.

One frustrated PCA player threw his helmet against the outside wall of the school’s gym after the loss. Another sat for a moment with his face in his hands, then slammed his helmet into the ground. A half-dozen others just fell to one knee and cried after the 20-13 loss.

&#8220The pain can’t be explained. It’s a failure at something you’ve dreamed of,” PCA senior running back and defensive end Kenny Simms said after the game. &#8220Right now, who wouldn’t be devastated? But the accomplishments of this team were something that has never been done at this school. So once the shock wears off, the glory will live on.”

Lee had beaten PCA in the first round in 2004, 26-20. But the Eagles had plenty of chances to win that game, and still feel that they should have won it.

When the rematch rolled around a little over a year later, however, it played out almost exactly the same way: