(Atlantic) — Ethan McNeal delivered the play of the night with a dramatic kickoff return late in the game, propelling Atlantic to a thrilling 35-30 win over Harlan at the Trojan Bowl on Friday night. In a back-and-forth battle filled with momentum shifts, the Trojans emerged victorious, snapping a long drought with their first win over Harlan since 2002. Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer.
Atlantic quarterback Zayden Parker completed 6 of 10 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Shelton Mualia hauled in two receptions for 76 yards and a score, while Zander Killion added a 27-yard touchdown catch. Brock Goodrich also snagged a 29-yard pass deep in Harlan territory to set up a score late in the first half. On the ground, Ethan McNeal rushed 22 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
The Trojans opened the scoring on their second possession of the game with a 39-yard touchdown run by McNeal, giving Atlantic a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Cyclones responded with a surge, rattling off 21 unanswered points. Brody Bendorf tied the game at 7-7 with a six-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Quarterback Gabe Arkfeld then found Colton Schneider for a 44-yard touchdown strike, and Ayden Redmon capped a drive with a six-yard scoring run to put Harlan up 21-7.
Atlantic regained some momentum just before halftime, as McNeal broke free again for a 3-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 21-14 at the break. The third quarter was a defensive battle, with neither team finding the end zone, setting the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter.
The Trojans tied the game at 21-21 when Zayden Parker connected with Zander Killion for a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Cyclones answered with a 23-yard field goal with 2:59 remaining, reclaiming the lead at 24-21.
Then came a momentum-shifting performance from 6’4” defensive back Shelton Mualia. Lining up on offense, Mualia hauled in two crucial catches—one on a key third-down conversion, and the other a 36-yard touchdown that gave Atlantic a 28-24 lead.
But Harlan responded quickly, needing just three plays and 20 seconds to find the end zone. A 21-yard touchdown pass to Cade Nelson put the Cyclones back in front, though a missed extra point left the score at 30-28.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ethan McNeal delivered a game-changing moment, returning it 80 yards for a touchdown. Killion’s extra point gave the Trojans a 35-30 lead. Coach Brummer mentioned afterward that the game could come down to special teams, and that it exactly what happened in the waning seconds of the game.
Harlan had one final chance with seconds remaining, but Atlantic defensive end Jack Muller sealed the win with a sack on the final play, securing a thrilling 35-30 victory for the Trojans.
Atlantic (6-2, 4-0 in the district) and Carroll (5-3, 4-0 in the district) will face off next Friday night with the District Championship on the line.
