Harper looks to even record against No. 9 Iowa Western

Harper College's football team welcomes the ninth-ranked team in NJCAA, Iowa Western (4-0), to Saturday's 1 p.m. kickoff in Palatine.

Iowa Western is fresh off a victory over No. 5 Grand Rapids Community College (15-12).

"We have to carry over the second half of the North Dakota game into Saturday. We have to limit the mental mistakes" said second year Harper coach Eric Waldstein.

The key to stopping the Iowa Western offense will be stopping a very tallented freshman quarterback Zach Stoudt and shifty freshman running back Jalen Singleton.

"He (Stoudt) can throw it down the field whenever he wants" Waldstein said. "We're going to emphasize with our DBs that they're in good position and using good technique."

On Saturday, the Hawks (1-2) were able to hold North Dakota State College of Science to 66 yards rushing, but shortcomings in other phases were too much to overcome in a 49-21 loss.

"We just gave up to many big plays (in the passing game)" Waldstein said.

Of Iowa Western, Waldstein said, "all around they're a pretty good football team."

If the Hawks are to be successful, Waldstein says, sophomore quarterback Stuart Augustine must have time to survey the field and find open receivers.

"They've done well with their pash rush," Waldstein said of the Iowa Western defensive front.

Harper running backs Roderick Alton, Tim Kelly and Sean Stokes must all make solid contributions on the ground in order to keep the Iowa Western defense honest.

"The big thing for us is we really have to finish drives," Waldstein said of the Harper offense.