Sure, the Monessen football team would have liked to have still been playing for the WPIAL Class A championship this past Friday at Heinz Field.

And yes, the Greyhounds certainly are still smarting from their 28-0 loss to undefeated Serra Catholic in the semifinals on Nov. 16.

But at the same time, Monessen has to be proud of what was accomplished during the 2007 season.

According to coach Andy Pacak, this season's Greyhounds were the first to sit at 11-0 since the 1961 team. He also said that the 102-year-old program celebrated its 600th victory this season, that coming in the 30-14 victory against Monaca in the WPIAL quarterfinals on Nov. 9.

"You always get the what-ifs and everything else," Pacak said. "But it was just kind of like a storybook thing, meeting that '61 team in getting to 11-0 and wining the 600th game ... It doesn't get much better than that."

That 1961 Hounds squad won the WPIAL Class AA title, which was the large-school classification at that time. They defeated Wilkinsburg in the title game at Forbes Field.

Monessen was a perennial regular-season powerhouse in the early part of this decade, making the playoffs every season from 2000 through 2004 and twice going undefeated in the regular season.

But 2005 resulted in a 3-6 hiccup, and the Greyhounds had to rebound to get back to being the Tri-County South Conference's elite program.

They went 6-4 and were part of a three-way tie for the conference title last season before dominating the TCS this season.

Monessen won all six of its conference games by at least 20 points.

"That year we were a couple plays away from it being a little bit different," Pacak said.

"When it didn't go the way we had expected, the kids didn't respond in the best possible manner. They weren't bad kids; it was just that it was such a new thing for them.

"So [with that season in mind], it's been a very, very, very enjoyable season this year."

Pacak just completed his fourth season as the top dog of the Greyhounds, so he feels a special bond with the graduating seniors because he joined the varsity team the same year they did. The Greyhounds' roster lists nine seniors, of which at least a half-dozen made significant contributions this season.

"Even before camp started back in June and July, we had a steady four, five, six kids almost taking turns, consistently displaying leadership that the other kids just followed," Pacak said.

Chief among the seniors was running back Cordaro Jackson, who rushed for 1,412 yards and scored 26 touchdowns.

Quarterback Adam Caputo passed for 924 yards and eight touchdowns. Tim Tyree led the team in receiving with 15 catches for 447 yards.

Roger Brandemarte completed his third season as the kicker. Torrence Taylor, a four-year contributor, and Tyler Kerstaw also were valuable members of the team.

"For me, it's just real special," Pacak said of working with these seniors. "We had our ups and downs along the way with each other, but these guys, they hung in there."

Of the seniors, Pacak figures Jackson, Caputo and Taylor have futures playing college football. Tyree will likely play basketball at the next level.

The departures of the those players will leave a void for next season and beyond, but Pacak believes the Greyhounds can still be a contender for the conference and WPIAL championships.

He said at least three starters must be replaced on both offense and defense.

Linemen Kevin Parker, a junior, and James Shuma, a sophomore, and sophomore receiver Sheldon Miller were singled out by Pacak as potential leaders next season.

Terrance Stepoli, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound freshman, figures to take over at quarterback, replacing Caputo.

Sophomore David Jeffries appears to be the likely choice to replace Jackson as the team's feature running back. He was second on the team in rushing this season with 431 yards and four touchdowns.

Those players will be some of the focal points next season.

Reached just four days after this season ended, Pacak was proud and reflective but still coming to grips with the fact he no longer will get to work with his team as it is currently constructed.

"It's been a wonderful experience -- it was just cut a little short," Pacak said. "I'd start tomorrow and do the same thing all over again with the same group."