(Nevada) Harlan ended Nevada’s season in the quarterfinals. The Cubs get another shot at the Cyclones Friday night in a game that will air on KSOM.
It was a 38-0 final when these teams met a year ago. Closing one of Nevada’s winningest seasons in program history. The Cubs enter this year’s matchup at 8-2 with losses to Class 2A #3 West Marshall and Class 3A #8 North Polk. “Once again we have an opportunity to play an outstanding Harlan team who, in my opinion, hasn’t missed a beat since last year, maybe they are even a little bit better. They are really impressive to watch on film. For us, we are a little bit different in our offensive approach. At the end of the day we are trying to be a physical football team, run the ball, and play good defense.”
Coach Andrew Kleeman’s squad went on the road to pick up a first round win. They downed Sioux Center 10-7 last Friday night. The Cubs passed for 126 yards and rushed for 132 in their first round victory. Aidan Freeman’s 37 yard field goal in the 3rd quarter was the difference. “I think defensively we played really, really well. It’s hard when you go on that long of a road trip and play a team you aren’t familiar with. I was really proud of our kids and their resiliency. We played a clean game. Week 9 we did not play cleanly, so that was nice to see. Any time you get a playoff win that’s a great thing.
Nevada broke in a lot of new starters this season and has managed back-to-back years with a playoff victory for the first time in their history. “Last year we graduated a really good and talented senior class so we had a lot of kids that had to step up. early in the season we had some growth especially in coverage.” Kleeman says he couldn’t be prouder of them, “Our kids have grown tremendously.”
The Cubs have a dual threat quarterback with Noah Mills. The senior has passed for 1,456 yards and run for 753 with a team best 11 rushing touchdowns. Cason Stevenson has 1,065 rushing yards and nine scores. Kyle Kingsbury and Drew Robinson have been the main targets in the passing game. Kingsbury has 38 catches for 595 yards and four TD’s. Robinson had 39 grabs for 596 yards with five touchdowns.
Andrew Nevada coach Kleeman:
