(Pleasantville) -- Pleasantville has endured injuries, close games and one of the toughest districts in Class 1A football. Now, the Trojans are hoping those challenges have prepared them for a postseason run.

Pleasantville (6-2) has won three consecutive games entering its first-round playoff matchup at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (7-2). The Trojans are making their 26th playoff appearance in school history and sixth straight under a program that has established itself as a consistent postseason contender.

Head coach Mack Jorth believes his team has grown considerably since navigating a difficult stretch that included consecutive losses to Interstate 35 and Pleasantville and injuries to key contributors.

"We had pretty high expectations for the season, and nobody thought we'd maybe lose two in a row in the middle of the season," Jorth said. "There was a lot of frustration and a little bit of disappointment, but I thought our guys really bounced back really, really well. We've had a real good stretch of three weeks of just continuing to build on our own skills and plans and trying to get better."

One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the improving health of senior quarterback Braylon Bingham.

The Iowa commit has thrown for 1,068 yards and 13 touchdowns while also making a significant impact defensively with 38 tackles and nine tackles for loss. Bingham has battled injuries at different points this fall, but his return to form has helped the Trojans regain their offensive rhythm.

Senior JJ Phillips has been another dynamic weapon, compiling 612 rushing yards, 496 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns.

Brayden Kennedy has provided a major threat in the passing game with 38 receptions for 739 yards and six touchdowns. Cooper Kennedy, Blake Davis, Jax Bingham and Lane Clark have also contributed to the Trojans' success.

"I think we're getting back to what we can be," Jorth said. "It's taken Braylon a little while to get back to feeling like himself again. It's good to see that he's getting real comfortable and real healthy now at the end of the season. Obviously, a lot of our offense goes through him. He's such a dynamic playmaker. As he gets more and more healthy, our offense just gets more and more on track. Our offensive line continues to come along and gel, and we've got a lot of playmakers with Brayden Kennedy and JJ Phillips. I feel like we're starting to really click, and the playoffs will test that."

Defensively, Pleasantville has been particularly opportunistic, recording 15 interceptions through eight games.

Davis leads the team with three interceptions, while five other Trojans have two apiece. Phillips leads the team in tackles, and junior Tatum Baethke has emerged as a disruptive force with 10.5 tackles for loss.

Bingham, Cooper Kennedy, Brayden Kennedy, Jax Bingham and Clark have also helped anchor a defense that has continued to improve throughout the season.

Jorth believes the lessons learned during a stretch of tightly contested games have helped the Trojans develop the physical and mental toughness necessary for postseason football.

"It definitely was a test of perseverance, and we got pretty beat up there for a little while, but that's football," Jorth said. "Our guys really showed the competitive toughness that they're made of to get through that stretch and continue to get healthy towards the end of the season. It was a real good time of learning and growth for us to come together as a team, believe in each other, believe in ourselves, and then get healthy and healed up mentally and physically and get ready to turn the page for the second season."

The Trojans will face a different kind of challenge against an Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont squad that relies heavily on its physical rushing attack.

Zane Mullenix has been the centerpiece of the Rockets' offense, rushing for 1,131 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also leads the team in tackles, making him a major factor on both sides of the football.

Defensively, EBF features several disruptive players, including Kaden Kirkpatrick with 12.5 tackles for loss, Logan Gardner with 11.5 and Corbyn Padgett with eight. Quarterback and defensive back Dalton Brinegar has also contributed three interceptions on defense.

Jorth has been impressed by the Rockets' physicality and their ability to control the line of scrimmage.

"I'm very impressed with the tape I've watched so far," Jorth said. "They're very big. They're very physical. They've got a bunch of guys on defense that just fly to the football, fill the running lanes, get off blocks and fly to the ball carrier. They will be a very tough challenge. Offensively, they really like to get downhill and feature their primary ball carrier, who's a heck of a ballplayer. It's going to be a real test for us. I'm excited to see what we can do, but we definitely have to be ready to play very physical, very disciplined football."

For Pleasantville, the keys will revolve around matching EBF's physicality, maintaining defensive discipline and making tackles when opportunities arise.

With several experienced playmakers returning to health and a three-game winning streak providing momentum, the Trojans believe they are entering the postseason at the right time.

"We have to be able to hold our ground, not get pushed around, get off the blocks, fly to the football and bring the ball carrier down when we have a chance," Jorth said. "We can't miss a lot of tackles. We've got to get off blocks. We've got to secure the tackle when we have a chance."

Pleasantville will travel to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for its Class 1A first-round playoff matchup, looking to extend its winning streak and advance to the next round. Kick is slated for 7:00 PM.

Listen to much more with Coach Jorth in the audio file below.