Harlan Community FB Can’t Slow Down LC, Fall in Opener, 31-10

Harlan Community FB Can’t Slow Down LC, Fall in Opener, 31-10 -

(8-30-24) – The positives were there… even on a poor overall night.

Harlan Community is looking to reset after a tough game against 4A rival Lewis Central, where they fell 31-10 at Merrill Field in their season opener.

“It's always tough when you lose,” said Cyclone Coach Todd Bladt following the game. “It's not a lot of fun. Nobody enjoys it. But you know, you got to kind of look at the highlights.”

One highlight for Harlan Community was their running game, where they 195 rushing yards, 132 coming from Lucas Francis.

Ayden Redmon also had a solid game from the backfield that included a 53-yard TD run that gave the Cyclones their only touchdown of the game. Bladt gave credit to the offensive line.

“What it showed us is that O-line is pretty darn tough. Pretty darn good. Was communicating pretty well.”

Harlan Community got a nice game from defensively from linebacker Bryce VanBaale, who Bladt said was flying all over the field the way he believes his defenders should.

“He's developed his leadership skills. He was everywhere on the field tonight. I mean, sideline to sideline, playing ball, making plays, in the right position most of the time.”

Bladt also like the game he saw from linebacker Dallas McDowell, who had a strip sack fumble in the 2nd qtr that set up a 25-yd FG from Nolan Schwery and cut the deficit to 4 at the time.

“He's growing up quick, you know, and he's going to make a lot more plays and he's going to see a lot of things that he can improve on from this game that are going to really help him in the next.”

What the Cyclones do in their next contest will give Bladt more of an understanding of what type of team he has this season.

“The most you're going to improve from in a season is from your first game to your second game.”

Bladt knows it’s a long season and that one game doesn’t make a team.

“We're not going to let this define us as a team. We're going to move on and you know, focus on what we can control and that's next week against Denison.”

Harlan Community will face Denison-Schleswig at Merrill Field on Friday. (KNOD 2)

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