WARRENSBURG, Ill. (WAND) - It's been six years since Warrensburg-Latham football qualified for the IHSA postseason. The Cardinals finished 2021 with a 5-4 record, but were unable to secure an at-large spot in the playoffs.

Now in 2024, the birds are flying high with an 8-2 record, winning their matchup with #9 seeded Carmi White County in the opening round. According to seventh year Head Coach Aaron Fricke, the victory was a breath of fresh air.

"They needed to feel that excitement and just get the monkey off their back," he said. 

Coach Fricke took over the program in 2018 after the departure of former coach Scott Godfrey. In his first year with the Cardinals, Fricke made it to the playoffs with a 7-2 record, but fell to Chester 42-20. Since then, Warrensburg-Latham has struggled to get back to the postseason - that is until now. Fricke's squad came out Saturday afternoon and marched down the field late to secure a 35-30 win in front of a home crowd.

"I was confident. I knew the boys were capable of it," Fricke said. "Some times they just need to go through and get it done. The sky's the limit."

As a result, the players are carrying a renewed sense of confidence as they prepare to visit #1 seeded Johnston City.

"Going into this week, that nervousness is gone." Fricke added. "To see their eyes after that game, I saw real confidence for the first time and that felt so good."

Warrensburg-Latham will make the trip to southern Illinois for a chance at continuing their run. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 5pm.

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