(Harlan) Harlan Head Football Coach Todd Bladt says his team has steadily progressed throughout the season. The Cyclones head into week seven with a 3-4 overall record and 2-1 in district play. Harlan travels to Atlantic on Friday night to face the 5-2 Trojans.
Coach Bladt says the most significant improvement has come in the running game. The Cyclones put up a total of 464 yards of offense in a 56-35 win over Creston, and 578 total yards of offense against Perry last week. Harlan has for a combined 526 yards rushing over the past two weeks.
Cyclones quarterback Gabe Arkfeld has been a key to Harlan’s success on offense lately. The senior has thrown for 1,116 yards and rushed for another 153.
Landon Nihsen leads the Harlan receiving corps with 15 catches for 313, Colton Schneider has 21 catches for 296, and Cade Nelson has 13 catches for 217 yards.
The Cyclones face a much-improving Atlantic squad on Friday night. Bladt says Atlantic has some big boys, and they are physical. He notes the offense is led by fullback Gavin McLaren.
Coach Bladt says special teams will be a big part of the game, particularly in terms of field position, on Friday.
Dallas McDowell has punted the ball 22 times for an average of 37.7 yards per punt. Landon Nihsen has a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown this season. Jacob Spangenberg has kicked a 26-yard field goal and is an impressive 28/29 in kicking extra points.
For Atlantic, Zander Killion has punted the ball 16 times for an average of 40.2 yards per punt. Donovan Hedrington made a big special team play last week against Greene County on an onside kick. The front lineman scooped it up and raced 60 yards to paydirt. Killion is 2/5 kicking field goals with his longest being 42 yards. Trevor Ellison is 1/3 with his longest being 29 yards.
The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. We will broadcast on KS 95.7 and live-stream on WesternIowaToday.com TV and YouTube.
