Harper faces key test at Joliet

With two games left in the football regular season, Harper College travels to Joliet Junior College at 6 p.m. today at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

The loser will most likely have to eventually travel to Grand Rapids in the regional semifinals, while the winner would still have hopes of a home playoff game.

“The guys are pretty focused, they know what’s on the line, said Harper coach Eric Waldstein. “We have to get it done.

Last season the Hawks and Raiders faced off in back-to-back weeks. The first game came during the final week of the regular season in Grand Rapids. The second meeting came when the two teams faced off once again in Grand Rapids in the regional semifinals.

This season the Hawks will host the regular-season ending meeting.

“I do not want to go to Grand Rapids, Waldstein said.

The Wolves will use both of their top two quarterbacks, Alonzo Bellamy and Darren Jones. Bellamy has the better passing arm with 607 yards, while Jones is the better runner, with 344 rushing yards.

“They have that potentional to be a big-play team, Waldstein said of Joliet.

The Harper defense might look a little different than it normally does. The Hawks will employ a cover-four defense this week in an attempt to keep Joliet’s receivers in front of them.

“A couple of our young guys (freshmen defensive backs Tyronn Brooks and Erik Parlmomre-Let) have really stepped up, Waldstein said.

Waldstein does not want a repeat performance of last week, when sophomore quarterback Stuart Augustine threw the ball 64 times for a career-high 364 yards.

“We think we can have a little success against them running the ball, Waldstein said. “But if that’s what works for us . . .