Four years ago, control of the Winfield-Mount Union football program was transferred from Russell Buffington to the hands of his longtime assistant Scott McCarty. The Wolves and McCarty suffered growing pains in the first year, finishing the 2011 football season at 2-7.

Despite the struggles, McCarty points to his first season as head coach as a pivotal point in the Wolves rise to prominence, “I learned a lot about coaching from (Buffington).” McCarty said, “I learned a lot about setting up practices and stuff. I was just a young guy when I started.”

McCarty’s first batch of freshman in 2011 has grown into seniors, and with their maturity came an increase in work ethic. “Here the last couple years, especially this senior class, has done a really nice job of buying into what we are telling them,” McCarty said, “Lifting weights, agility workouts, practicing a certain way. They have really bought into that attitude.”

All the hard work the Wolves have put in during the last 48 months has started paying dividends. On Friday, the team survived three second half turnovers to edge Pekin, 16-12 to capture the Class A District 6 championship and an undefeated regular season. McCarty’s record, which was 5-13 after his first two seasons, rose to 19-18 with the week 9 victory.

As the focus now switches to the postseason, McCarty says the team’s expectations are starting to rise, “Last year it was get to the playoffs and be excited about being a part of the playoffs and we played a quality team in Maquoketa Valley.” McCarty said, “Now we are that quality team. We talked with the kids about being district champ, it is time to start dreaming a little bit bigger now. We fully expect to not only compete in the following games, but I hate to say it, but it is on our radar to play up north, in a climate controlled environment. None of us want to see this run end.”

The Wolves will begin the journey to the state’s climate controlled UNI Dome Wednesday evening, opening up against the North Linn Lynx (4-5 overall). The Lynxs are the fourth seed out of Class A District 5, and enter postseason play losing three of their previous four games.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Winfield-Mount Union High School.