CHIPS SET TO FALL IN PLAYOFF REMATCH
HARLAN (Nov. 6) -- Friday’s list of quarterfinal playoff football games across the state features a bevy of high-quality matchups in all six classes.
Few of them may be more intriguing, however, than the one being played tonight at Merrill Field.
For the second time in less than a month, Lewis Central (8-1) will pay a visit to Harlan Community (9-0) for a Class 3A quarterfinal at 7:00 p.m.
The 2nd-ranked Cyclones scored the final 21 points to beat the 7th-ranked Titans 28-10 in Week 7 and earn the District 9 championship. The victor’s prize this time around is much bigger: a trip to the UNI-Dome for next Thursday’s 3A semifinals.
HCHS is trying to get back to the dome for the first time since 2017 while LC is seeking a third straight trip since moving from Class 4A to 3A in 2018.
Cyclone head coach Todd Bladt expects a barn burner.
“Lot of things brewing here,” he said. “We want our kids to play hard, we want our kids to play fast, play with confidence and get after it on Friday night. Both teams have a lot on the line and will be putting a lot of things out there and you’ve got to have some fortuitous things happen. We just hope that funny oblong ball rolls in our direction a few times.”
HCHS leads the all-time series with Lewis Central 48-7, but the Titans have won five of the last eight. The Cyclones have won the last two, however, including their 28-10 conquest on October 9. They trailed 10-7 in the third quarter before controlling the rest of the game.
Connor Frame caught three touchdown passes on the night to offset a rushing attack that netted just 32 yards. LC missed two first-half field goals, turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter and was flagged for 15 penalties.
The Titans have responded in impressive fashion since that night, winning their three playoff games 63-12 over Creston/O-M, 35-7 over Norwalk and 34-6 over No. 9 Ballard last Friday.
HCHS (9-0, 5-0 District 9)
vs. Grinnell -- Won 40-28
at Pella -- Won 21-18
vs. Glenwood -- Won 22-13
vs. Denison-Schleswig -- Won 35-0
at Carroll -- Won 28-14
at Creston/O-M -- Won 35-7
vs. Lewis Central -- Won 28-10
3A PLAYOFFS
First Round Bye
vs. Bondurant-Farrar -- Won 36-7
vs. Carlisle -- Won 49-42
Team Statistics
Total Points Scored: 294.
Total Points Allowed: 139.
Passing Yards: 2,007 (3rd in 3A).
Passing TDs: 20 (5th in 3A).
Rushing Yards: 1,341 (28th in 3A).
Rushing TDs: 18 (T-21st in 3A).
Total Yards: 3,348 (9th in 3A).
Total Off. TDs: 38 (T-11th in 3A).
Total Sacks: 16.0 (T-8th in 3A).
Interceptions: 9 (T-17th in 3A).
Fumble recoveries: 7 (T-30th in 3A).
CB LC (8-1, 3-1 District 9)
vs. St. Albert -- Won 28-3
vs. Sgt. Bluff-Luton -- Won 49-28
vs. Creston/O-M -- Won 34-7
at Carroll -- Won 35-13
at Glenwood -- Won 42-14
vs. Denison -- Cancelled
at Harlan Community -- Lost 28-10
3A PLAYOFFS
vs. Creston/O-M -- Won 63-12
vs. Norwalk -- Won 35-7
vs. Ballard -- Won 34-6
Team Statistics
Total Points Scored: 330.
Total Points Allowed: 118.
Passing Yards: 1,951 (5th in 3A).
Passing TDs: 21 (4th in 3A).
Rushing Yards: 1,991 (10th in 3A).
Rushing TDs: 24 (T-12th in 3A).
Total Yards: 3,942 (4th in 3A).
Total Off. TDs: 45 (T-6th in 3A).
Total Sacks: 22.0 (T-2nd in 3A).
Interceptions: 7 (T-28th in 3A).
Fumble recoveries: 11 (T-7th in 3A).