Thomas Jefferson High School’s finest football season in decades came up short of a state championship.

Coach P.J. Adams’ Vikings advanced to the State Class 2 semifinals, where the team lost 49-7 to host Stuarts Draft High School last Saturday.

The Vikings’ game highlight came in the first quarter on Arthur Sutton’s 66-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Thomas Jefferson finished the season 11-3.

The team has never before gotten this far in the state playoffs.

The state playoffs began in the late 1960s. The West End school won two state titles — based on sports writers’ voting — long before the current playoff system was put in place.

The Vikings’ 11 victories this season also represent a school record. Thomas Jefferson won regional games over Brunswick, Greensville and King William to advance to the state semifinals.

Stuarts Draft High School, located in Augusta County, advances to the state championship game against Appomattox County High School on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Salem Stadium outside Roanoke.