WOODBURY — After last year’s tough loss in the state playoffs, Northwest United football players know what to expect this year.

Even though the team lost 11 seniors from last year, three crucial sophomores stepped up to fill the gaps on the offensive line.

Sophomores Carson Shaughnessy, Sonny Ferrari, and Ryan Ceylan all stepped up this year as starters. Ferrari and Ceylan have anchored the offensive line.

“They really stepped up and have been a huge part in this season,” senior quarterback Ben Roden said.

With last year’s successful regular season — going 10-0 and winning the Connecticut Technical Conference championship — the team has tried to recreate it this year. The Workhorses started this year 9-0 before losing to Abbott Tech-Immaculate on Thanksgiving.

“Coming off a winning season last year is a good feeling,” says junior R.J. Barksdale. “We tried to do the same thing every week by just each doing our job, focusing on the game we have to play next, and figuring out what the other team is doing.”

Last year’s first playoff game, a 46-6 loss to Masuk in the Class MM quarterfinals, was a reality check for Northwest United.

“Playoffs last year taught us a lesson and was a good wake-up, so this year we will know how to go into it with a different mindset,” says Roden.

After last week’s loss, No. 5-seeded Northwest United looks forward to starting their journey in the Class M playoffs by winning tonight’s game in a rematch vs. No. 4 ATI at Danbury High at 6:30 p.m. A win would send the Workhorses to the state semifinals Sunday.

“It’s good that we get to play the same team again and have a chance to win,” Roden said.

Sophomore Nick Leddy has confidence in his team to rebound.

“After coming off a big loss on Thanksgiving, I think the boys worked really hard to get back and try to be the first tech team to win a state game,” Leddy said, “and I think that will help the team to keep on moving for the rest of the year.”