The first senior class in Delta Charter School history will forever be etched in stone as the first Storm football team in school history to earn a playoff victory.

DCS topped Homer 28-26 in the opening round of the LHSAA Class 1A playoffs last season before falling to Kentwood in the next round, perhaps setting the bar for what’s to be expected in years to come.

But rising senior Jalen Williams wants more for this year.

“I think we can beat the second round,” he said.

Entering his final campaign, Williams said there is a new element he has become accustomed to.

“It’s a lot to take in,” Williams said. “Being a senior, there’s a lot of responsibility. You have to take care of the younger guys and make sure they do right. You have to take care of pretty much everybody and make sure everyone is in line.”

One player, WIlliams said, he intends to take under his wing will be rising sophomore quarterback Kavarius Whitehead.

“We’re going to have a younger quarterback, so I’m going to have to take care of him,” Williams said. “If he has a brain fart, hop on him and make sure he gets back on track.

“If he has a play where he gets down on himself, I’m going to encourage him to come back and make up for it.”

First-year head coach Blake Wheeler, who took over the program in May, said his running back has more than risen to the occasion of being a leader this offseason.

“He’s going to show up every day and give you everything he’s got,” Wheeler said. “He’s going to encourage the guys around him. He’s a kid you don’t have to worry about. He’s going to do everything the right way. It’s great to have to kids like that.”

Williams said he has enjoyed Wheeler’s enthusiasm and thinks his new coach can help advance the program.

“In the weight room, I know he wants us to get better,” Williams said. “It all starts in the weight room — getting bigger and improving your speed and strength.”

Williams said the strength of this year’s Storm roster will be communication and their ability to work together, and he expects big things when his squad hits the field this fall.

“I’m just happy, everything is good,” Williams said. “Everybody is in the weight room, and they believe in what we’re doing. Everybody is on board.”