For several weeks, St. Aloysius football was the only game in town. The game ended Friday along with the Flashes promising season as they were routed by archrival Cathedral in the MHSAA Class 1A championship game.

The loss brought St. Aloysius’ best season in 33 years to an end but signaled a new beginning.

The Flashes won 13 games in a row to set a school record for victories in a season, and reached the state championship game for the first time since 1981. They also finished the season having won 17 of their last 20 games.

The only losses this season came against archrival Cathedral (14-1), which beat the Flashes 42-31 in the season opener and then again in the finale to win its first state championship.

St. Al started last season as perennial underdogs with a lot of youth. Like the title character from “Rudy” the Flashes were scoffed at, but that season ended one game short of a championship game appearance. It was still St. Al’s deepest foray into the postseason since 1981, its first winning season since 2009, and its first playoff appearance since 2006.

The Flashes built on last season’s success and rolled through their division with impunity this year.

“We’ve got a lot to build on, and these seniors left a good legacy. They took us places we’ve never been, for two years now, as juniors and seniors. I just hope these senior classes keep one-upping each other,” St. Al coach BJ Smithhart said.

Cathedral outplayed St. Al and won its sixth in a row over the Flashes. The Catholic school rivals are even in the series with 26 wins apiece.

The fact that it was a rivalry game and not getting to finish it off with a victory was a tough pill to swallow.

We hope the Flashes build on this season and remember this day in eight months when training camp begins for the 2015 season.

While all of the Flashes, returning and departing, hope there’s more memories made next year, there’s little doubt that this season will hold a special place in their hearts.

Let’s hope Friday will be remembered not as the end of a great season but the beginning of many great seasons and a legacy of greatness. Congratulations St. Aloysius.

We’re looking forward to great things on the gridiron.