WESTVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Replacing just one starter on each side of the ball means high expectations for Westville Football.

“I firmly believe that if we stay injury-free, good things are going to happen,” head coach Guy Goodlove said.

This wealth of experience gives the Tigers confidence they can start this season fast.

“We’re just focused on ourselves, just getting better every day, and just whatever it takes.”

senior Easton Barney said. “We’re going to come out and we’re going to hit it and we’re going to be ready to go.”

“We’re looking good. I really like our speed, our physicality, we all know what we’re doing,” senior Ethan Miller said.

The five returning starters on the offensive line are set to protect second-year starting quarterback Easton Bolin, who has shown significant improvement since the same point last season.

That progress was on full display in last year’s opening round of playoffs.

“He’s transformed as a player,” Goodlove expressed. “Easton kept us competitive in that game, which we narrowly lost 40-35, mostly due to his playmaking ability, and he’s been outstanding during practice.”

Westville isn’t just seasoned but also driven to claim victory in this week’s Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game, especially following their opening game defeat by the Storm last year.

“The kids out here are the same ones that took it on the chin last year, so I think they remember that,” Goodlove said.

Hopes of a postseason run past the first round are also on these players’ minds heading into week one.

“This is something we’ve been discussing a lot as a team, and as leaders,” Miller shared. “We definitely want to avoid an early exit. That’s been our story for the past three years, but now we’re aiming high with our sights set on the state championship—that’s everyone’s ultimate destination.”

The Tigers face the Storm Friday, August 29, in Catlin with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m.