Internally, the expectations are tempered. But outside of the Nanticoke Area program, there has been plenty of talk about the Trojans heading into the new season.

But when Week 10 rolls around this year, Ron Bruza wouldn’t mind experiencing the same feelings this year as he did last season. However strange it was.

The Trojans knocked off Hanover Area in the final game of the regular season. By the time the Trojans reached the locker room, they were under the impression they would be hosting an Eastern Conference playoff game. It would have been a nice way to send the seniors out and cap what turned out to be a fine year.

That was when things took a bit of a strange twist — for the better — for the Trojans. While receiving results from other games, and doing some excruciating math, the Trojans found out they were not heading to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Instead, they were making their first appearance in the district playoffs in 17 years.

“We stumbled a bit at the beginning of the season, but got hot at the end,” Bruza said. “This year the guys are motivated and want to build off that success. That is where they want to go.”

The Trojans find themselves in pretty good shape as far as balance on both sides of the ball. With all but six players back from last season’s team, the Trojans have experienced players up front and at the skill positions. There have been seasons when Nanticoke Area had one but not the other.

“We have some depth and some guys that have been around the block,” Bruza said. “This is probably the most well-rounded team that I have had here. It seemed we would always have a good backfield and a weak line, or a strong line and weak backfield. We are going to be able to lean on our senior leadership.”