JAYTON — The key question for the Jayton Jaybirds heading into the 2021 season wasn’t if they would be good. The question was, how  good?

The ‘Birds afterall, have grown accustomed to success under coach Josh Stanaland, who has posted a 99-48 mark in 12 seasons at JHS, including a 60-14 mark since 2016.

But 2021 was to bring some special challenges. To begin with, no fewer than four standout players — Pecos Smith, Tripp Scott, Caleb Valerio, Mason Long and Devon Jones — had been handed their diplomas.  Secondly, the 2021 ‘Birds would carry only four seniors on their roster, with no more than two being on the field at the same time, offensively or defensively.