Du-Pec Rivermen prepare for a major quarterfinal test Saturday against the Wilmington Wildcats

PECATONICA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — There was a time when the Du-Pec Rivermen were dreaming of just getting into the IHSA playoffs. Those days are long gone now that the Rivermen are in the 3A quarterfinals for the second straight year. They want more. Saturday afternoon they'll again take the field at home against Wilmington. Head coach Tyler Hoffman says Du-Pec's experience in recent seasons has them comfortable in big playoff games and has them hungry for more success.

"We've settled into the 3A role. I think some people when the co-op was originally formed were concerned that we may not be able to compete in 3A, but I like where we're at right now." The Rivermen have rolled through the first two rounds of these playoffs defeating Genoa-Kingston 66-0 and Paxton Buckley-Loda 33-6. That's only six points allowed total to a pair of playoff teams. That's key because Du-Pec has been able to score points easily all season with an offense led by Cooper Hoffman. Now the defense has risen up. "Our defense is playing lights out right now," said head coach Tyler Hoffman. "Our guys have just kind of gelled and really figured out what each other does in their roles." "I think earlier in the year we kind of relied on our offense just to score more points than the other team, but now we're more of a well-rounded team," said receiver/defensive back Brody Black. Linebacker/receiver Jaxon Diedrich feels the same way. "It (the defense) definitely changed. In the beginning of the year, I think we were giving up way too many points and we finally figured it out. We switched the defense around a little bit. Switched the guys around, and I think we've been good since." They'll have to be really good on both sides of the ball Saturday when the Wilmington Wildcats come to Pecatonica. They're undefeated, they're confident and they're physical. "They run three plays and there's no sugarcoating it," said coach Hoffman. "They're going to come downhill. We've just got to be ready for a physical, nasty football game, especially in the trenches because that's what they're comfortable doing." Wilmington's football program is one of the best in the state. The Wildcats have won three state championships since 2014 including one last year in Class 2A. This is their 28th straight playoff appearance. The Rivermen know what it's like to face programs like Wilmington's. They faced Byron in the playoffs last year and in 2019. They played Reed Custer two years ago. They played I-C Catholic three years ago. "You always want to put yourself up against the best, see where you kind of stack up," said Black. "It's getting pretty common around here," said Diedrich. "I feel like every year we play a big powerhouse, and hopefully this year we get past the hump finally." The quarterfinal round is the deepest Du-Pec has ever gone in the playoffs, so the Rivermen could make school Du-Pec history Saturday by winning. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. at Pecatonica High School.