Iowa Western handles Harper
The Harper College football team welcomed sixth-ranked Iowa Western Community College on Saturday afternoon.
The Reivers lived up to their billing, defeating the Hawks 45-7.
Freshman quarterback Alec Starr (Jacobs) started for Harper, in place of injured sophomore starter Stuart Augustine. Waldstein said the injury is a strained shoulder, and that he started Starr at the urging of the Harper training staff.
"We were a little concerned that if he took a hit we would lose him (for the season)," Waldstein said.
It is unclear if Augustine will play next week, when the Hawks travel to Iowa to play Ellsworth Community College. The Panthers beat Joliet Junior College on Saturday.
Starr went 3-for-5 passing with 4 fumbles (1 lost) and threw an interception to sophomore cornerback David Whitemore, who returned it for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Reivers (5-0) a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
"We expected he would be a little skittish (early) - that's part of being a freshman quarterback," Waldstein said of Starr's early play.
Starr scored the only touchdown of the game for the Hawks on a 4-yard run in the second quarter.
"We knew they were going to be physical," Waldstein said of the Reivers' mammoth offensive line.
Waldstein praised the play of sophomore defensive lineman Devin Henderson (Glenbard South).
"We were just a tad late (getting to the quarterback)," Waldstein said of his defensive line's ability to apply pressure.
It seemed like every time the Hawks (1-3) had a chance to force a Reivers punt, Harper would commit a penalty or give up a big play on third down.
"Mental mistakes and penalties are killing us," Waldstein said.
Thornwood's Nathan McNeal had Harper's lone takeaway when he read the eyes of sophomore quarterback Zach Stoudt for an interception. Stoudt briefly left the game in the first half after being hit by a pair of Hawks. Sophomore Alex Brayton took Stoudt's place.
Iowa Western freshman running back Jalen Singleton had touchdown runs of 15 and 2 yards.
"Right now we have to eliminate mental mistakes," Waldstein said.