Cyclones host quick Bluejay squad in playoff opener

 HARLAN (Oct. 23) -- The wait is over.
 After watching from the sidelines last week courtesy of its first round playoff bye, the Harlan Community football team will join the postseason party Friday night at Merrill Field.
 The 2nd-ranked Cyclones (7-0) will host Bondurant-Farrar (5-3) in a Class 3A second round playoff game out of Pod 15. The Bluejays defeated ADM 14-7 in round one.
 HCHS will be playing its first game since clinching the District 9 title with a 28-10 win over Lewis Central 14 days ago, but the wait feels longer than that, according to head coach Todd Bladt.
 “It seems like forever, and I’ve got to imagine it feels the same way for the kids,” he said. “They’re going to be excited to play. I think they’re going to be ready... They’re itching to get back out there."
 In the Cyclones’ 39th trip to the playoffs and game number 1,138 all-time, they will be facing Bondurant-Farrar for the first time.
 The Bluejays are making their ninth playoff appearance - all since 2008 - after tying for second place in District 7. Their only losses came against Carroll (7-0 in Week 1), Nevada 23-20 in double overtime) and Pella (20-0).
 Bondurant-Farrar has held all but one team to 20 points or less in regulation and features a young, fast squad overall.
 “They do have a lot of speed,” Bladt noted. “That’s probably the most concerning aspect to this team is they have some speed in the right places."
 The Bluejay defense has been opportunistic, forcing 24 turnovers in eight games. Senior cornerback Oskar White leads Class 3A with seven interceptions.

B-F (5-3, 3-2 District 7)
at Carroll - Lost 7-0
vs. Boone - Won 42-0
vs. Nevada -  Lost 23-20 (2 OT)
at Carlisle - Won 52-36
vs. Knoxville - Won 53-0
vs. Pella - Lost 20-0
at North Polk - Won 39-14
vs. ADM (Playoffs) - Won 14-7

Individual Stat Leaders
 Passing: Colby Collison 77/122 (63.1%), 986, 8 TDs, 4 INTs. Rushing: Porter Smith 113-428 (3.8), 8 TDs; Titus Cram 39-276 (7.1), 2 TDs. Receiving: Nolan Meyer 22-396 (18.0), 2 TDs; Cade Eichmeyer 18-204 (11.3), 2 TDs.
 Tackles: Braden Miller 59.5 (46s), John Powers 44.0 (30s), Ryan Snider 39.5 (30s), Jacob Gibney 38.5 (26s). Tackles for loss: Miller 16.0, Snider 14.5, Powers 12.0. QB Sacks: Snider 6.5, Miller 5.0.
 Fumble recoveries: Brock Turner 2, Powers 2. (10 total) INTs-return yards: White 7-77 (1 TD), Miller 2-23 (1 TD), Cram 2-23. (14 total)
 Kickoffs: White 38-2196 (57.8), 19 touchbacks. PATs: White 27/28 (3/7 FGs). Punts: Brayton Hannan 29-1053 (36.3).