Coach Bladt’s Climb to 400
Nearly midway through his 40th season as Harlan Community’s head football coach, Curt Bladt joined exclusive company Friday night by picking up his 400th career win as the Cyclones defeated Glenwood 17-14.
Only two other Iowa prep football coaches, according to the Iowa High School Athletic Association, have reached the 400-win mark. Dick Tighe, most recently the coach at Fort Dodge St. Edmond, retired with a record of 432-167-8 during 63 years at five schools, including 41 wins in Canada. Jerry Pezzetti, currently the co-head coach at Ankeny Centennial, has a record of 405-156-1 during 56-plus years with four different programs.
Bladt’s record is now 400-59 (all with HCHS) for a winning percentage of .871 that ranks first among all Iowa coaches with at least 200 victories. He also leads Iowa coaches with 34 playoff appearances and 11 state championships.
Below is a year-by-year recap of Bladt’s success at HCHS.
1978 10-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Semifinals
1979 7-2; 2nd/H-8; No Playoffs
1980 7-2; 3rd/H-8; No Playoffs
1981 10-2; 2nd/H-8; 3A Runner-Up
1982 12-0; 1st/H-8; 3A Champion
1983 12-0; 1st/H-8; 3A Champion
1984 11-1; T-1st/H-8; 3A Champion
1985 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Runner-Up
1986 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Runner-Up
1987 10-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Semifinals
1988 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Runner-Up
1989 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Runner-Up
1990 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Semifinals
1991 11-1; 1st/H-8; 3A Semifinals
1992 11-2; 1st/D-10; 3A Runner-Up
1993 12-1; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
1994 7-2; T-2nd/D-8; No Playoffs
1995 13-0; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
1996 10-2; 2nd/D-8; 3A Semifinals
1997 12-1; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
1998 12-1; 2nd/D-8; 3A Champion
1999 10-1; 1st/D-8; 3A Quarterfinals
2000 11-2; 2nd/D-8; 3A Runner-Up
2001 10-2; 2nd/D-8; 3A Runner-Up
2002 9-2; 2nd/D-8; 3A Quarterfinals
2003 13-0; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
2004 13-0; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
2005 13-0; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
2006 10-1; 1st/D-8; 3A Quartefinals
2007 10-1; 1st/D-8; 3A Quarterfinals
2008 10-2; 1st/D-8; 3A Quarterfinals
2009 14-0; 1st/D-8; 3A Champion
2010 10-2; 1st/D-1; 3A Quarterfinals
2011 9-4; 3rd/D-1; 3A Semifinals
2012 8-2; 1st/D-1; 3A First Round
2013 10-2; 1st/D-1; 3A Quarterfinals
2014 3-6; 5th/D-8; No Playoffs
2015 8-2; 1st/D-8; 3A First Round
2016 4-5; T-4th/D-7; No Playoffs
2017 3-1 through first 4 games