HARRIS — The first round of playoffs brings more than just a home game for the Bark River-Harris Broncos (3-2) as they host the St. Ignace Saints (1-5) tonight. It brings a sense of comfort.

“As a community and as a football program, this home game makes us feel whole again after a tumultuous six months for these student-athletes,” said Broncos’ head coach Al Stenberg. “It really means a lot to have a home playoff game.”

This hasn’t changed how the Broncos are approaching it. According to Stenberg, it’s like any other game.

“We prepare the same for every game,” he said. “Whether it’s the first game of the season, middle of the season or playoffs.”

The Broncos enter tonight’s game coming off back-to-back shutout victories against Manistique and L’Anse. Both games ended 28-0 thanks to a strong defense led by safety — and West-PAC Defensive Player of the Year — Tyler Racicot along with a strong linebacker corps. Stenberg believes it’s their physicality that’s given them an edge over opponents.

On offense, the Broncos are led by returning senior quarterback Nick Javurek.

“He’s not had the stats he had last year,” said Stenberg, “but he leads our offense, and we’ve executed better as the year has gone on. That’s due to his leadership.”

Playing both sides of the ball at tight end and defensive tackle is senior Dylon Lippens, who Stenberg considers the Broncos’ strongest asset.

“He has been an anchor for us on offense and defense all year,” said Stenberg.

The Broncos’ regular season didn’t start out as strong as it has ended, however. In week one they dropped a game against Houghton 3-0. Week two saw them lose 42-6 to Iron Mountain in the Mountaineers sole game of the regular season. The defeats only helped the Broncos grow.

“We learned a lot from those losses,” Stenberg said. “We are a lot better football team now than in weeks one and two.”

With no players out, the Broncos will hit the field tonight with a full roster and momentum on their side after three consecutive, decisive wins.

“With high school athletes, momentum is big, and their self-confidence is big,” said Stenberg. “The kids feel good about our chances against St. Ignace and beyond.”

As game time nears this evening, there is no place the Broncos would rather be than playing under the lights in Harris led by their seniors says Stenberg, “We feel like we are right where we want to be.”