Cyclones host Titans in marquee Week 1 matchup

HCHS and Lewis Central both return plenty of talent from last year’s playoff showdown at Merrill Field

 HARLAN (Aug. 27) -- No matter who is lining up across the field, Week 1 of the high school football season never lacks for excitement and adrenaline.
 When you’re facing one of your top rivals from recent years, the incentive to start out strong ramps up even more.
 Harlan Community and Lewis Central will renew that rivalry Friday night at Merrill Field as the 2021 season kicks off a 7:00 p.m.
 The Cyclones have won three straight times in the series - twice last year - after losing five of the previous six matchups. The Titans knocked HCHS out of the playoffs in 2018 and the Cyclones returned the favor last November with a thrilling 21-14 quarterfinal victory.
 Both teams return a lot of top-level talent from 2020 and both are ranked high going into 2021.
 No longer in the same class for postseason purposes, the two teams won’t stand in each other’s way come playoff time, so Friday’s winner holds full bragging rights for the next 12 months.
 “(We’re going) to come out of the gate and get tested,” said HCHS head coach Todd Bladt. “LC is ranked number three in 4A and I’d say we’re anywhere from number one to number three in 3A. It’s going to be a tough contest, it’s going to be a battle and we’ll see who can come out on top.”
 This year’s Cyclones return eight players with starting experience on both sides of the ball from last year’s 11-1 state runner-up. The Titans (8-2) have about six starters back on offense and at least that many on defense if they choose to use them as two-way players.
 Both squads have speed, hard hitters and future collegians.

Full story in Aug. 27 News-Advertiser

Lewis Central (0-0) at Harlan Community (0-0) -- Friday, Aug. 27 • Merrill Field • 7 p.m.

Series History
HCHS leads all-time, 49-7.
at Harlan: HCHS leads, 25-4; at Lewis Central: HCHS leads, 24-3.
Playoffs: HCHS leads, 4-1.

Last Four Meetings
2018 Playoffs: LC 35, HCHS 14 - at LC
2019: HCHS 14, LC 6 - at Harlan
2020: HCHS 28, LC 10 - at Harlan
2020 Playoffs: HCHS 21, LC 14 - at Harlan

Week 1 Probable Starters

Harlan Community Offense
LT: 71, Gunner Schmitz - 6-0, 220, jr.
LG: 52, Austin Schumacher - 6-1, 215, jr.
C: 55, Jeremiah Davis - 5-10, 225, sr.
RG: 72, Hugh Griffith - 5-11, 255, sr.
RT: 56, Kade Brouillard - 5-10, 190, sr.
TE: 83, Jacob Birch - 6-1, 205, jr.
QB: 11, Teagon Kasperbauer - 6-2, 185, jr.
FB: 23, Will McLaughlin - 6-3, 225, sr. and/or WR: 3, Joey Moser - 5-7, 150, sr.
RB: 46, William Kenkel - 5-10, 190, jr.
SE: 2, Connor Frame - 6-2, 180, sr.
FL: 6, Aidan Hall - 6-1, 200, jr.
PK: 8, Stephen Leinen - 6-1, 175, jr.

Harlan Community Defense
RDE: 23, Will McLaughlin - 6-3, 225, sr.
RDT: 45, Zane Bendorf - 5-11, 195, jr.
LDT: 34/54, Jameson Bieker - 6-1, 205, sr.
LDE: 65, Alex Monson - 6-0, 186, sr.
MLB: 32, Lucas Stanley - 6-0, 190, sr.
MLB: 10, Joseph Fah - 6-1, 190, sr. and/or 36, Matthew Sorfonden - 6-0, 190, so.
OLB: 21, Garrett Assmann - 6-1, 190, jr.
OLB: 9, Nick Blum - 6-1, 180, sr.
S: 6, Aidan Hall - 6-1, 200, jr.
CB: 2, Connor Frame - 6-2, 180, sr.
CB: 4, Ashton Lyon - 6-1, 190, sr.
Punter: 8, Stephen Leinen - 6-1, 175, jr.

Lewis Central Offense
LT: 72, Hunter Deyo - 6-3, 290, sr.
LG: 71, Sam Chadwick - 5-10, 205, jr.
C: 65, Hunter Waldstein - 6-0, 235, sr.
RG: 56, Jack Doolittle - 6-2, 200, jr.
RT: 60, Parker Matiyow - 6-2, 220, jr.
TE: 23, Brayden Loftin - 6-5, 215, sr.
QB: 10, Braylon Kammrad - 6-0, 180, jr.
RB: 1, Jonathan Humpal - 5-10, 165, jr.
H-back: 14, Nick Miller - 6-3, 210, sr.
WR: 11, Luciano Fidone - 5-6, 145, jr.
WR: 4, Blake Cyboron - 6-1, 180, sr.
PK: 6, Boston Hensley - 5-9, 170, jr.

Lewis Central Defense
DE: 14, Nick Miller - 6-3, 210, sr.
DT: 72, Hunter Deyo - 6-3, 290, sr.
DT: 18, Dallas Davis - 6-0, 215, sr.
DE: 60, Parker Matiyow - 6-2, 220, jr.
OLB: 8, Ethan LeMaster - 5-11, 175, sr.
ILB: 7, Wyatt Hatcher - 6-4, 220, sr.
ILB: 38, Payton Ludington - 6-0, 185, jr.
SS: 15, Caleb Moore - 6-0, 185, so.
FS: 5, Ethen Fishell - 6-3, 190, sr.
CB: 3, Marcus Duncan - 5-10, 160, sr.
CB: 6, Boston Hensley - 5-9, 170, jr.
Punter: 2, Lane Feierfeil - 6-1, 175, sr.

 
 

 

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1114 7th Street
P.O. Box 721
Harlan, IA 51537-0721

(800) 909-6397
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