Cyclones look to build off eight-win ‘15 season

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community football team enters the 2016 season with a veteran-laden offense, a brand new defensive cast and high hopes to build on last year’s 8-2 campaign and return to the playoffs after a rare one-year absence in 2014.
 Armed with good team speed and adequate size, the Cyclones’ quest to secure a 33rd postseason berth in 35 years won’t be easy as they face a difficult front-loaded schedule and the fact that once again only 16 teams per class will qualify for the playoffs.
 Expectations remain high, however, as HCHS has been pegged the number-three team in the Des Moines Register’s Class 3-A preseason rankings going into Friday’s non-district opener at Lewis Central. The Cyclones begin the season with 62 players on the varsity roster, including 16 seniors and 17 returning letter winners.
 Head coach Curt Bladt, who enters his 39th season just seven wins shy of the 400 mark (393-53), is anxious to get the season underway.

Harlan Community Varsity Football Team
 HCHS will enter the 2016 football season with a varsity roster of 62 players, including 16 seniors and 17 returning letter winners.
 Front row, L-R: Grant Smith, Austin Smith, Jonathon Schmitz, Jacob Wingert, Dillon Sears, Caleb Rasmussen, Marshall Tucker, Josh Cheek, Richard Blackman.
 Second row, L-R: Noah Culp, Greg Sorensen, Jeremy Flies, Michael Monson, Aaron Johannsen, Kyle Schmitz, Nick Tarney, Dillon Frederick, Ty Frederick, Caleb Brouse.
 Third row, L-R: Eli Boldan, Jon Owens, Brett Sears, Andrew Burchett, Jared Moser, Tanner Fink, Patrick Fah, Jacob Hansen, Will Hoffmann, Dave Hoffmann.
 Fourth row, L-R: CJ Schechinger, Hunter Manz, Braden Fink, Nick Foss, Deren Schmitz, Jacob Bartley, Kevin Campbell Jr., Joey Arkfeld, Derec Weyer, Ethan Leinen, Riley Kohles.
 Fifth row, L-R: Travon Fleshman, Jonathan Cheek, Drase Klindt, Kyle Knudson, Mason Peters, Wyatt Schaben, Brock Hedstrom, Oscar Olmos, Will Sonderman, Levi Culp.
 Sixth row, L-R: Jay Swanson, Thomas Fah, Jake McLaughlin, Preston Mulligan, Spencer Freese, Brady Wagner, Brian Trevino.
 Back row, L-R: Head Coach Curt Bladt, Coach Todd Bladt, Coach Mark Kohorst, Coach John Murtaugh, Coach Sam Brummer.
 Not pictured: Tyler Buman, Caleb Bieker, Tyler Eaves, Michael Ray, Daniel Soll.