Harper rocks Rock Valley
The ninth-ranked Harper Hawks clinched at least a share of the Midwest Football Conference with a 33-7 decision over visiting Rock Valley Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks improved to 8-1 and 6-1 in the conference with the victory over the Golden Eagles (3-6, 2-6).
Harper's defense was the difference as the Hawks' offense struggled with 5 turnovers.
Rock Valley took a 7-0 lead as a result of one of the Harper turnovers. Kweku Arkorful intercepted a Garrett Barnas pass at the Harper 26 to set up Rayvone Taylor's 2-yard run with 7:17 left in the first quarter.
The closest the Golden Eagles got to the goal line after that score would be the Harper 7 in the second quarter.
Kyle Jenkins, Devin Henderson, Eric Pugh, Kevin Clark, Jaz Granderson, and Jason Mielzynski were amongst many Harper defenders that stopped Rock Valley cold. Rock Valley ended up with 212 yards of offense. They fumbled eight times, losing three.
"We stopped them with our defensive line," said Jenkins, who had 2 quarterback sacks. "They had a huge front line but we were able to handle them with our speed. We wanted to prove that we had a good defense. We came out a little flat in the first quarter. After they scored we wanted to hold them from that point and we did."
Rither Jean-Baptise pulled Harper to 7-6 on the last play of the first quarter on a 1-yard run.
A fumble recovery by Clark set up Senica Jackson's 1-yard run with 5:56 left in the half for a 13-7 lead. Ryan Fillingham kicked a 31-yard field goal just before the half for a 16-7 lead.
Barnas (17-30, 164 yds 2 int) connected with Tafari Mahou on a 46 yard touchdown strike for a 23-7 lead with 11:02 left in the third quarter.
Fillingam booted a 33-yard field goal later in the quarter which gave him the school record for points by kick with 62.
Barnas (13 carries, 130 yards) finished the scoring with a 74-yard run with 8:18 left.
Harper finished with 401 yards of offense.
"Rock Valley's defense gave us alot of trouble with their different looks," Barnas said. "They kept us off guard and our turnovers hurt us. But we came away with the win and that's what counts."
"I was proud of or defense today," Harper coach Dragan Teonic said. "Five turnovers should hurt you, but our defense really stepped it up. We had some great defensive efforts in the second half from Jenkins and Henderson."
Harper will host Joliet next Saturday in the first round of the playoffs.