The Atlantic Trojans football team will take on a Hawkeye Ten foe for the third straight week with a trip to Harlan for their final non-district test tonight. The Trojans (2-1) are coming off an overtime win last week over Clarinda 21-20. The Trojan defense came up with a stop on a Clarinda 2-pt conversion try to seal that win. Atlantic Head Coach Mike McDermott said a win like that boosts the confidence of the team moving forward. This week he knows the Trojans will face a tough test against a much bigger line from Harlan (2-1).

Coach McDermott hopes the Trojans can create some seems for their backs to hit some big plays but he knows it will be important to sustain some drives to help in the time possession game against the Cyclones.

The Cyclones also have a knack for playing tough defense and Harlan Head Coah Curt Bladt has liked the improvement he has seen from his team defensively thus far.

Chase Mullenix has been strong at the quarterback spot for Atlantic throwing for 432 yards and 3 scores while rushing for 306 yards and 4 more touchdowns. Coach Bladt had high praise for Mullenix and thinks they will be facing an improving Atlantic team.

Harlan will counter with a productive quarterback of their own in Preston Mulligan. He has thrown for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns with only one interception given up. Coach McDermott hopes the Trojans can put the Cyclones in some long third down situations to make Mulligan’s job more difficult.

Tune in for a full interview with Coach McDermott on Trojan Preview this afternoon at 4:45pm.

We’ll have coverage of the game tonight on KJAN. Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call from Merrill Field with pregame at 6:30pm and kickoff at 7:00pm. You can catch the game on-air, online, on the app, or watch the live video feed on our Facebook page. Stay tuned after the game for all the scores from around the state on the Iowa High School Scoreboard Show from 10:00pm-11:30pm.