Maybe an undefeated record wasn’t the way to go.

In 2005 and 2006 Lafayette finished the football regular season 10-0 only to be disappointed by losses to Port St. Joe, first in the regional final and then in the regional semi.

This year the Hornets opened the season with a rare loss ” 16-0 to visiting Keystone Heights.

They haven’t been defeated since.

During that stretch, the Lafayette defense has shut out three opponents (allowed only a touchdown three other times), and only one foe (Interlachen in Week 11) surpassed 16 points. After the Week 1 shutout loss, the Hornets scored at least 27 points in every other regular season game.

And last week they exorcised the Port St. Joe demon by winning 16-7 on the road in the regional final.

That put them at home in this Friday night’s state semifinal against Tallahassee North Florida Christian (11-1), coached by Casey Weldon ” yes, Gator fans, that Casey Weldon. A win there would put Lafayette in the state championship game against either Delray Beach American Heritage or defending champ Belle Glade Glades Day.

Suddenly, the Keystone Heights game ” blessing or not ” seems a long time ago.