NIANTIC, Ill. (WCIA) — Returning for the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade was a big confidence boost for SVTC.

The Storm finished last season with a 6-4 record, falling in the first round of the postseason at Vandalia.

Multiple factors have led to the turnaround according to the fourth-year head coach Carl Spath, including a strong buy-in to team culture and plenty of community support.

After seeing on-field success last season, the seniors on this squad are confident in their ability to make another postseason bid.

“Seeing that my class and the senior class last year could do that felt really like accomplishing knowing that we could achieve something that hasn’t been done in years and knowing that this year we’re going to do the exact same thing is just rewarding,” senior fullback and linebacker Hunter Martin said.

“I’m looking forward to the season because I think what we need to do is we’re going to make a second round of playoffs for sure, 100%. We’ve just got to set the tone for the first three games,” senior quarterback and linebacker Hill Muir said.

The Storm open the season at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on August 29 at 7:00 p.m.