At last, Harper set to play at home

The Harper College football team is looking to wash away the effects of last week’s 42-10 loss at Ellsworth Community College.

After playing their first two games on the road, the Hawks (1-1 overall, 0-1 Midwest Football Conference) finally get to play in front of their own fans for the first time this season when they take on Iowa Central (1-1, 0-1) at 1 p.m. today in Palatine.

The Triton are also looking to bounce back after losing 42-35 last week to College of DuPage.

“They’re good up front on their offensive and defensive line,” Harper coach Eric Waldstein said of Iowa Central.

The Triton made a little tweak in their offense in the off-season, but the Hawks will still be prepared for a ground-based attack.

“This year they throw the ball a little more than they have,” Waldstein said. “Instead of throwing the ball four times, they throw it 10 times.”

Waldstein said he expects to stick with Harper’s basic defensive package — no gimmicky — to slow Iowa Central’s powerful running game.

Offensively, look for the Hawks to lean on the strength of its offensive line.

“Physically, we are just as big or bigger than their defensive line,” Waldstein said.

One key will surely be the ability of quarterback Cody Miller to continue to adapt and adjust.

“We just have to be smart and make good reads,” said Waldstein.