J.C. Harmon and Northeast will square off in the latest DM Injury Law Metro Game of the Week. Harmon has lost two games in a row. Northeast is coming off a solid win over Southeast.
Both programs are clamoring for success. Friday’s tilt is the regular season finale for the Hawks (2-5) and the Vikings (2-6).
For the first time since 2019, Harmon opened its season with a win. The convincing 52-6 victory over Maranatha was just the Hawks’ second win to start a season in the last 14 years.
Despite only one win since, third-year head coach Keith O’Neal said the program’s progress is evident. Heading into this season, Harmon won just one game over a three-year period. Under O’Neal, the Hawks were just 1-16 prior to the start of this year. Two wins in seven games signifies a major step forward, according to O’Neal.
“If we look back into my first two years here as head coach the numbers speak highly of nothing but growth here across the board,” O’Neal said. “My staff and I have been working hard to change the narrative here and I believe we are doing just that.”
The Hawks have been shutout in four of its five losses, including back-to-back Meadowlark League games against Schlagle (58-0) and Sumner (46-0). Those defeats have provided O’Neal and staff ample opportunity to harp on some hard-learned life lessons.
“I preach to my boys about what it takes to be a consistent winner daily,” he said. “And they understand that even though we have tasted success we must find a way to maintain consistency in that category as they are still learning the level of work it takes to maintain success.”
Northeast is riding high after a 44-12 drubbing of Southeast. Against the Knights, senior quarterback Andre Valentine accounted for all six of the Vikings’ touchdowns. He rushed for four scores and connected with wide receiver Adrian Gant on two more.
O’Neal took notice of Valentine's exploits. And the Hawks will be ready to contain the speedy signal-caller.
“We must come out the gate firing on all cylinders and win the turnover battle,” O’Neal said. “These are the keys to win.”
