(Harlan) Harlan plays for their 13th state championship in school history on Thursday. The 2nd rated Cyclones will match up with #9 North Scott in the Class 3A Finals at 7:00 p.m.
Harlan coach Todd Bladt points out the Lancers don’t have a lot of two-way players so his team will have to be at their best physically. He sees an opponent that’s very sound across the board. “They play clean. They don’t turn the ball over. They don’t get a lot of penalties. They’ve been doing what we are doing and that’s capitalizing on the mistakes of others.”
North Scott needed overtime to oust #1 Cedar Rapids Xavier last week while Harlan won convincingly, 44-7 against Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley. Bladt says there was no time to bask in the glow of an impressive semifinal showing. “We are happy with the win, but it’s playoff football. You have to get back to the drawing board and we were already taking a look at them on the bus ride home. These kids are focused. They know what’s important and right now that’s the next play and that’s the kickoff of the championship.”
Harlan has leaned on a lot of players with good leadership to get to this point. “Offensive linemen that are in their leading the offense are Jacob Schechinger, Jesse Schwery, and Wyatt Muenchrath. And then our two headed monster in the backfield with Mason Griffith and Brenden Bartley. Those guys get the offense rolling. On defense Chandler Leinen is in there we have Jordan Schechinger, Michael Erlemier, these are all guys that are fantastic leaders for us and get the job done.”
The game will air on 96.5 FM KSOM.
