Pulse-Checking Time as Cyclone Football Prepares for Nevada

Pulse-Checking Time as Cyclone Football Prepares for Nevada -

(11-3-22) - This just in… Harlan Community plays physical football!

While most of the team’s fans are aware of it, that’s what Cyclone Coach Todd Bladt felt needed to be shown to the rest of Class 3A after it came into question last week and his team displayed it early and often.

“We got a little challenged during the week,” Bladt told KNOD Sports prior to the Cyclones quarterfinal match-up against Nevada. “Got called out a little bit, so I think they responded very well and got the job done on the field.”

It was the Cyclone’s 101st playoff win as they’re now a step closer to returning to the UNI Dome and defend their Class 3A title. While the offense has quickly struck all season long, Bladt thinks the defense doesn’t get enough credit for putting the offense in great position.

“We have a pretty darn elite offense, but our defense allows them to be super elite because of the field position, battling, not giving things up.”

That doesn’t mean Nevada’s ground-and-pound style doesn’t make for an interesting match-up.

“(Nevada) run the ball pretty well almost two 1000-yard rushers or really close. And their quarterback, he likes to run the ball. Tough, hard-nosed kid and anytime you have your quarterback run the ball, you got an extra guy at the point of attack.”

Playoffs can make for a nervous time for players and coaches, but Bladt believes his team and his staff can corral that energy for their benefit.

“Everybody out there’s nervous for a playoff game. If you’re not, you better check your pulse because you might not have one. These guys know how to compartmentalize that a little bit and use it to their advantage and use that energy, that nervous energy, and put it into motion.”

Harlan Community won this match-up last season, 38-0.

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or Iowa Quik Stats