Corresponding file photo / Jack Eye by David Dermer Windham runs down the field en route to a touchdown during the first half of the Bombers’ game against Jackson-Milton on September 6.

WINDHAM — On Tuesday night, while the nation’s eyes were glued to the election results, members of the Windham football team were fixated on something else.

The lights were on, the sun was down and the players took the field to prepare for another game.

This is a notable contrast from previous seasons. At this point in years past, high school football would be on the books at Windham and players would begin to focus on other passions.

But not this year’s Bombers.

The Bombers’ last playoff victory was in 2017 when they beat Lisbon, but that changed on Friday when Windham defeated Southern in a shootout 50-35 to record the team’s first playoff victory in years .

“A lot of nerves,” senior wide receiver and defensive end Nick Hopper said. “Big game for us. We’ve never had a 10-win season in history. We have been preparing all week for this. It was just a physical, close match.

Windham isn’t the biggest school — the Bombers are in Division VII after all — so head coach Jake Eye is still concerned about injuries. The injury bug derailed some previous promising seasons, but the stars have aligned for the 2024 campaign.

Not only did the Bombers avoid that costly injury, but they had the talent needed to succeed in the Northeastern Athletic Conference. Windham survived a road scare in a 32-26 overtime win over St. John, and the only game that didn’t go in the Bombers’ favor was a 40-8 loss to power of the NAC, Pymatuning Valley.

Jack Eye has been one of the leaders of the team in recent years. He shares the backfield with Carlos Bruton. At the end of the regular season, Jack Eye led the team with 1,651 rushing yards on 140 carries with 34 total touchdowns. Bruton was just as effective with the ball in his hands, rushing for 1,038 yards on 97 attempts and 20 total scores.

Dylan McCune provided some balance to the offense, completing 23 of 43 passes (53.4%) for 553 yards and six touchdowns. He targeted Bruton and Hopper throughout the year. Bruton had 10 catches for 272 yards and Hopper had eight catches for 176.

Defensively, Jack Eye led the team in tackles (155), sacks (four), tackles for loss (29), interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (two). Bruton tied for the team lead with three interceptions, and Brandon Petrich had 96 tackles heading into the playoffs. Hopper and Zack Porter were tied for second on the team with two sacks each.

This all led to some confidence and the No. 7 seed heading into the playoffs.

With their victory in Week 11, the 2024 Bombers put their name in the record books. They became the first team in program history to record a 10-win season.

“The kids are excited to be here,” Jake Eye said. “They are here every day, they work hard and our line keeps getting better every week. And we have, in my opinion, probably one of the best backfields in Northeast Ohio. When you put it all together, avoiding the injury bug, good things happen.

The Bombers are now looking to make even more history. They’ve never won multiple playoff games in a season, but they have a chance tonight.

They will travel to Jeromesville to face the Falcons (10-1) in the Division VII, Region 25 quarterfinals. Hilldale is the region’s No. 2 seed, behind Western Reserve.

Jake Eye knows his team will have a challenge ahead, but the boys want to continue the seasons.

They want to enjoy another week of practice under the lights behind Windham High School.

“Enjoy it,” said Jack Eye. “It ends eventually. You don’t want it to end this week, so come out here and work as hard as you can.