Gaining some confidence and snapping a lengthy losing streak went a long way for West Carroll last season.

Making its debut in the Illinois 8-Man Football Association after a 24-game losing streak that dated back to 2019, the Thunder finished 8-3 and even reached the second round of the playoffs.

Now in his second season at West Carroll, coach Abelardo Sustaita is looking for the team to take another step forward.

“My focus was on just getting the kids to believe in themselves,” Sustaita said of last season. “They had a four-year drought, a lot of problems going on. I could see in their eyes they were very athletic, that they could win, they just had to get that self-confidence.”

Sustaita said last year’s seniors set a new standard.

“This next group coming in, they believe,” he said

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