Cyclone FB Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive, Beats Nevada, 24-21

Harlan Community's Dallas McDowell (10-11-24)

Cyclone FB Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive, Beats Nevada, 24-21 -

(10-11-24) - The Cyclone defense stepped up at just the right time.

Harlan Community got a career-long 31-yd FG from Nolan Schwery to start the 4th qtr and it would hold up as the Cyclone defense shutout Nevada in the 2nd half for a 24-21 win.

Dallas McDowell would clinch the victory by intercepting Cubs QB Connor King with :36 left. McDowell, who also had 5 tackles, said the defense really came together to pitch a shutout in the 2nd half.

“We just had to do our job. You know, we struggled with it in the first half and the second half we just improved a lot and we're able to do our jobs and trust everybody and making stops.”

Cyclone Coach Todd Bladt felt his team fought hard for this win.

“What a gritty win. You know, kudos to the kids. They bought into what we were doing all week and what we were putting in and they went out and executed. I'm just really proud of the way they responded the last two weeks.”

Harlan Community got Merrill Field rockin’ on the first play from scrimmage as QB Gabe Arkfeld took a keeper 85 yds to the house for an early 7-0 lead. After the defense forced a Nevada punt that was returned deep Cubs territory, Lucas Francis would score on the first play from 32 yds out, giving the Cyclones a 14-0 lead after just two offensive plays.

But Nevada, who came in 5th in RPI in Class 3A, wouldn’t waiver. They put together 3 consecutive sustained drives to score 21 unanswered points, including a 15-play, 80-yd drive that ended in Anthony Eaton’s 2nd TD of the game to put the Cubs in front 21-14 with 5:13 left in the 1st half.

Despite the fact that Nevada got 21 straight points, Bladt felt his team played well defensively and made the Cubs work for every yard they got.

“We had some little adjustments, but for the most part, the kids were they were executing what we wanted them to execute. You know, we had a little tackling issues there in the first half that led to some big plays and a couple of faux pas from the guys. Going inside when you should be keeping contained and we got those things worked out and then we held them to nothing in the second half. So, that's a huge accomplishment for our D.”

The Cyclones would get the game knotted again with 1:05 left in 2nd qtr on an 8-play, 82-yd drive ending in a 38-yd TD pass from Arkfeld to Jozef Reisz to send the game tied 21 all at the half.

The defenses took over in the final 24 minutes. Nevada was able to force a pair of turnovers, but couldn't capitalize as Harlan Community's defense was equal to the task.

The drive that led to Schwery FG started at the Cyclone 6 and they went 80 yds on 11 plays before being stopped.

Bladt felt the atmosphere at Merrill Field was electric.

“I think the whole stadium was rocking there for a second. It's a fun win, man. You know, winning games like that is just it's so exciting. It's exciting for all the people that are there. It's exciting for the players, the coaches, everybody, and I'm just glad that, you know, we were able to do just the little things to win the game and then our defense rising up and making plays out there. Gosh, it was great to see.”

Arkfeld had 250 total yds and 2 total touchdowns. Reisz led the defense with 16 tackles, plus had 7 catches for 134 yds and a TD. Hagen Sorenson contributed 10 tackles for the Cyclones as well.

Eaton would finish the game with 150 yds and 2 TD’s for Nevada while Cubs QB Connor King threw for 59 yds and the 1 int.

McDowell’s interception was just the 2nd for the Cyclones on the season.

“I was just reading the defense at that point. You know, we knew they were going to pass. They just drop back into coverage, read the quarterback eyes and just came up on the ball and we were able to get the pick.”

McDowell feels this will be confidence boost for his team, but he knows they still need to focus on the task ahead.

“We're all happy, but we got to get ready on Monday and come back and watch film and be ready to go against Atlantic next week.

Harlan Community is now 4-3 overall and 2-1 in district play. They’ll be on the road next week against Atlantic. (KNOD 2)

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