WINTERS — Coming off their fourth consecutive playoff appearance under seventh-year coach Matt McCarty, the Winters Blizzards have reached a level where postseason trips are expected.

And with 13 lettermen returning from last year’s team, including six offensive and seven defensive starters, McCarty’s squad feels like it can continue that trend this fall.

While a difficult nondistrict slate and a brutal league schedule await the Blizzards, Winters is blessed with both the talent and experience to compete for a fifth straight playoff berth. And McCarty is banking on a couple of scheme changes and some rapid development along the lines to allow his team to achieve that potential.