When one speaks of long-suffering programs in the Big Country, Dublin cannot escape the conversation.

To begin with, the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1964. Entering this year, they were 3-37 over the previous four seasons and hadn't reached the playoffs since 2003. They've only had six winning seasons since 1986 and only two since the turn of the century.

But second-year coach Bob Cervetto is beginning to instill belief where doubt has ruled the day for decades.

The Lions are currently 2-1 after posting back-to-back wins for the first time in six years. And with every team remaining on Dublin's schedule currently sitting below .500, the door appears open for Cervetto's crew to raise a few eyebrows.

Are we talking playoffs?

That conversation is probably a year or two away. But hitting the .500 mark isn't out the realm of possibility and would be one of the more notable finishes in the area this year.

"We've got a great coaching staff, they're really into the kids and they're doing a great job of teaching," Cervetto said. "That's where it all starts. They're dedicated, they know where we've been and they understand where we need to go."

When Cervetto took over the program last year, he had only 18 players suiting up from grades 9-12 with no junior varsity. Now he has roughly 60 out for football, so the first step of building enthusiasm has already been taken care of.

In the meantime, Cervetto gets to teach his players something brand new: How to handle winning.

"You have to teach kids how to handle defeat, but you've also got to teach them how to handle success," Cervetto said. "It's a new territory for them, but it's a step-by step process.

"It's just nice to see the look in the kids' eyes who haven't experienced success and it definitely makes it easier for us to come to work on Saturday morning."