After being locked out of the post-season for the past several years, the Vikings will return to the playoffs as co-division champions following Saturday’s win against rival Case High School.

Wareham beat Case 18-15 at home in front of a raucous crowd just waiting for the first playoff game. The fourth seeded Vikings will face fifth seed Bellingham High School on Oct. 28 at home. Kick off is at 7 p.m. for the quarterfinal-round game of the Division 3A South playoffs.

Entering the playoffs marks a huge turnaround for the team. Last year, the Vikings’ record was 4-7.

This summer, the school hired new Head Coach Bob Lomp, who coached for 19 years at Apponequet Regional High School where he amassed a 114-37 record.

Lomp credited the older players for leading the way.

“When you’re the new coach, you often have to win over the seniors. But this group jumped on board right away,” he said.

Led by seniors Isaac Nascimento and Jordan Philips, the team is overcoming its underdog status, said Lomp.

“They’re not big in numbers, but they’re big in heart,” said Lomp.

The key to Saturday’s game was a tenacious defense, said Lomp.

“Case has been scoring 40 points or so the past few games, but we were able hold them to 15,” he said. “This was a battle.”

In the fourth quarter, a Case return kick was recovered by the Cardinals, which would have given the visitors a shot at a field goal with 2:05 left on the clock.

Referees overturned the play, giving possession to Wareham, after Case received an illegal touching penalty.

The Vikings record is now 5-2.