Harper boasts high-octane offense this season

No one is likely to be score bored at Harper College football games this fall.

Not that it was a problem as Harper averaged 29 points a game en route to a 6-6 finish and 21st appearance in an NJCAA Bowl game.

"Last year's offense didn't have this much firepower and we led the (Midwest Football) conference in points per game," said third-year Harper head coach Dragan Teonic.

But the ignitor of the offense is back and expected to be better as Harper opens its season at 1 p.m. Saturday against 16th-ranked Joliet at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Sophomore quarterback Garrett Barnas set nine Harper records last year and is a preseason first-team NJCAA All-America selection.

Barnas, who has Division I scholarship offers from Iowa, Syracuse and South Florida, completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 2,899 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year. He also rushed for 601 yards and 9 touchdowns.

"He's playing really well right now," Teonic said. "He really understands the offense well and has done a good job of not leaving the pocket early.

"He's wise at picking up coverages and his arm strength and decision-making are better."

Barnas has experienced weapons to choose from in John Baldwin (43 catches, 626 yards, 7 TDs), Eric Watts (22 for 391, 4 TDs) and Charles Davis (24 for 272). Eastern Illinois transfer Tafari Mahou and Barrington product Brian LeSeur are among the newcomers to a deep crew.

And Barnas doesn't figure to be the lone running threat as Streamwood product Senica Jackson (316 yards, 7 TDs) emerged late last season. Transfers Rhitner Jean-Baptiste (Alcorn State) and Kaelon Mayfield (Mississippi State) have also looked good.

There is also a lot of experience up front in second team all-conference center Ryan Miller, guards Matt Royer and Evan Page and left tackle Brody Dixson, who played in 2005 and had a scholarship offer to Iowa State.

"He was one of the best we've had," Teonic said. "It's nice to have four sophomore bodies back."

The defense will have a different look with a 4-3 led by former Driscoll star and strong end Kyle Jenkins, a second team preseason All-America pick. Kevin Paholski and Nate McIntosh are back up front and transfers Ryan Asta from Barrington and Eric Pugh from Joliet JC should help.

Everyone is back at linebacker and former Brother Rice star Kevin Konrath, a transfer from Hawaii, adds depth. All-conference safety Troy Jones and cornerbacks Kevin Clark and Jake Powell hope to help reduce last year's 28 points allowed per game.

"We've made huge improvement already," Teonic said.

The workload may be mixed for Conant grad and sophomore Ryan Fillingham if the offense lives up to its billing. Fillingham should get plenty of chances for kicking extra points, field goals and kickoffs but his punting opportunities may decrease.

"I think we're improved at every position," Teonic said. "The kids are really working hard, the work ethic is good and the competition level is up."

Digging in: Harper volleyball was ranked fourth in the NJCAA Division III preseason poll and started 2-2 in last weekend's College of DuPage tournament.

Anie Fitzpatrick (Elk Grove) and returning NJCAA All-America pick Christy Lima (Rolling Meadows) had 31 and 21 kills respectively. Nikki Maize (Elk Grove) had 78 assists.

New faces in charge: Former Palatine star and Oakton College pitcher Steve Marchi has been named the new baseball coach. Brenda James takes over the softball program. Interested players for both programs should contact the athletic office at (847) 925-6467 or at www.harpercollege.edu.

Taking over the men's and women's cross country programs is Paul Paynter, who coached at Prospect.

A new look: The Harper gym floor has been re-done in the school's year-old blue and white colors and Hawk logo.