Cyclones host Cubs in Friday showdown

After taking care of business with a dominant 49-7 in their most recent Friday against the Perry Bluejays, the HCHS Cyclones football team faces a big test at home with the 5-1 Nevada Cubs coming to town.
“I think our guys are happy to be at Merrill Field,” said Cyclone Head Coach Todd Bladt. “They understand the implications of this game, so it’s going to be kind of a knockdown drag out. The team that stays together and focuses on what they’ve got to do on the field and can execute, that’s going to be the team that walks away with a victory.”
The Cubs come in with a 5-1 record with their most recent win, a 49-0 blowout against the Knoxville Panthers on the road. Offensively, Senior Connor King has 861 passing yards, Senior Anthony Eaton has 897 rushing yards, and Junior Gavin Egeland has 275 receiving yards. Defensively, Senior Jackson Burlage has 40 tackles.
“They’re physical,” Bladt said of Nevada. “Their backs run real hard. Their linebackers like to come downhill. Their whole defensive line is tough. They can cover some man coverage. They have some athletes out there.”
The Cyclones are 3-3 with wins against Denison, Glenwood, and Perry. Offensively, Junior Gabe Arkfeld has 1,019 passing yards, Senior Lukas Francis has 495 rushing yards, Senior Jozef Reisz has 529 receiving yards. Defensively, Senior Bryce Van Baale has 50 tackles.
“With every Harlan team you play, you know their identity,” said Cubs Head Coach Andrew Kleeman. “You know they’re going to run the football. They’re going to be physical up front. They’re going to attack you vertically when they feel like they have matchups and advantages. They’re just a really well coached football team, and always have been. When I look at their personnel, they definitely are starting to fill into their roles as well. I think they have some younger guys stepping into some things early on throughout the season, and it seems like they’re starting to find their way as well.”
Last season, the Cyclones played the Cubs on the road Oct. 6 and lost 39-20. The year prior, the Cyclones hosted the Cubs at Merrill Field during the 3A – Quarterfinals and beat them 55-7, punching their ticket to the UNI-Dome en route to their 14th championship in their programs history.
“They’re fantastic every single year and they’ve set the standard for a long time,” Kleeman said. “I think we’re all trying to get to that standard and they’re just a well-coached, disciplined football team. From a distance, I have a ton of respect for the way they do things, and the way they operate and we know the challenge ahead for us.”