HCHS looks to cap perfect district season in Atlantic
ATLANTIC (Oct. 20) -- The Harlan Community football team already knows it will be hosting a first-round game at Merrill Field next Friday when the 2017 high school playoffs get underway across the state.
The Cyclones will learn their first-round opponent sometime early Saturday morning when the Iowa High School Athletic Association releases its postseason brackets online.
But there is still plenty to play for tonight at 7:30 when sixth-ranked HCHS (7-1 overall, 6-0 in Class 3A, District 7) faces an improved Atlantic team (5-3, 3-3) at the Trojan Bowl.
• Pride, for one thing. These two rivals have met 108 times on the gridiron since the series began in 1901, and the Trojans would love nothing more than to end their season by beating Harlan for just the second time in the last 35 matchups. HCHS, meanwhile, is determined to not let that happen and avoid entering the playoffs on a sour note.
• The Cyclones, who already clinched the district title with last week’s 56-14 win over Denison-Schleswig, can complete their first unbeaten district season since 2013 - and there is some significance. If HCHS wins its first round game and faces another district champion in the quarterfinals, having a perfect district record is one of the top criteria used in determining the host school.
• Sustaining the momentum of a seven-game winning streak is also important as many Cyclones prepare for their first postseason go-around. Head coach Curt Bladt, who has been at the helm of 34 playoff teams, wants to see a good performance Friday night and isn’t talking about pulling starters if his team builds a large early lead.
“You’ve still got to play the game and I’m not going to sell it short. We can use the work, no doubt about that,” Bladt said. “Hell, we may have to be fighting from behind, you never know. We’ll see how it goes and we’ll do our best to try to get a W.”
HCHS (7-1, 6-0) at Atlantic (5-3, 3-3) - Friday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Series History
HCHS leads all-time, 62-46.
at Harlan: HCHS leads, 33-20.
at Atlantic: HCHS leads, 29-26.
Playoffs: HCHS leads, 3-0.
* HCHS has won 33 of the last 34.
Last 5 Meetings
2012: HCHS won 28-21, OT (at Atl.)
2013: HCHS won 42-7 (at Harlan)
2014: HCHS won 24-21 (at Harlan)
2015: HCHS won 69-7 (at Atlantic)
2016: HCHS won 49-14 (at Harlan)