Harper's best facing big test

So much for strength in numbers.

Harper College's football roster has been cut nearly in half from the beginning of the season.

But the streamlined Hawks have won three straight games and four of five to earn a bowl berth and spot in Saturday's 6 p.m. Midwest Football Conference Eastern Division championship game at Joliet Junior College.

"We've slimmed down the team a lot," said Harper sophomore wide receiver and Cary-Grove graduate Brian Mitz of the 68 players left. "There isn't any horsing around and we have players out there now.

"We're serious about this."

And the Hawks (6-4) knew head coach Dragan Teonic wasn't kidding when he predicted 2 wins to end the regular season would make them a team no one wanted to face in the postseason.

Harper reversed a 16-point loss to College of DuPage with a 51-33 romp last Saturday.

"When coach put it in the paper he kind of put it on us," said Mitz, the Hawks leading receiver with 53 catches for 792 yards and 5 touchdowns. "We had more confidence going into these games."

Teonic made no bold predictions about the Hawks' trip to 17th-ranked Joliet (8-2), which rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Grand Rapids 26-18.

But a ninth Region IV title in school history and berth in the marquee Graphic Edge Bowl game Nov. 18 at the University of Northern Iowa are big motivators.

So is avenging a 29-28, last-minute loss to Joliet in the opener. The winner plays in the 3 p.m. bowl game and the loser in the first game against North Iowa Area CC or Iowa Central.

"Phase one of the redemption plan is complete with COD," Teonic said. "Phase two is Joliet and phase three is one of those two.

"It's a good group but now we've got to keep going."

Another big day by NJCAA passing leader Garrett Barnas (2,296 yards, 20 TDs passing; 556 yards, 8 TDs rushing) would help. Barnas came on in relief in the opener when returning starter Trevor Bupp suffered a broken arm.

"With the season down to the last two games Garrett became more a of passing quarterback," Mitz said of the freshman from Bureau Valley. "He understands the game. He takes the time to read defenses and he's done a real good job of doing that."

Having sophomore Senica Jackson (Streamwood) stabilize the running back situation has also been a big key. Jackson has rushed for 7 TDs and caught 9 passes last week.

"He's played really well and run the ball well," Teonic said. "He's been very unselfish in the games he hasn't gotten the ball.

"He wants to win and play well and he's a great kid."

The Hawks forced 5 turnovers in the opener with Joliet and will need some more from the crew led by linebackers Aaron Miller (15½ tackles for losses) and Aaron Diggs (11 tackles for losses) and Troy Jones (6 interceptions).

Running backs Anthony Stewart (905 yards, 6 TDs) and Tim Huguley (488 yards, 5 TDs), quarterback Mitch Watkins (1,473 yards, 14 TDs, 9 interceptions) and receiver Christian Graham (32 catches, 449 yards) lead the Wolves.

"They're the more talented team," Teonic said. "We need them to turn it over and have a good game on special teams and a good night out of our offense."