The ADM Tigers defense has faced some potent offenses this season. Teams such as Creston and Norwalk probably gave defensive coordinator Bric Nelson some sleepless nights during the weeks leading up to those contests.

While those two teams have versatile and balanced offenses, the Tigers ‘D’ will oppose a completely one-dimensional offense in the form of the Harlan Cyclones this Friday in Adel.

Harlan ranks second-to-last in total offense and is dead last in passing in Class 3A – District 8, averaging nearly 81 yards per game through the air. The Cyclones’ two quarterbacks, junior Kyle Juhl and senior Hunter Kloewer, have combined to complete just 33.8 percent of their passes while throwing 14 interceptions and three touchdowns.

Fortunately for the Cyclones, they have sophomore running back Nick Tarney, who leads the district with 723 yards rushing. Tarney’s 153 carries are 38 more than the next highest total by a running back. The season of Harlan’s 5-9, 190-pound workhorse is even more remarkable when considering he doesn’t have a passing game to take some pressure off.

ADM’s defense has surrendered an average of 196 yards rushing per game this season, and has had mixed results against run-oriented teams. The most recent ground and pound squad they played was Glenwood a couple of weeks ago; the Tigers beat the Rams 45-28 despite allowing 254 yards on the ground and 401 overall. ADM allowed 20 first-half points in that game but tightened things up in the second half, when the defense allowed just eight points. The defense was also aided somewhat by the departure of Glenwood star running back Brogan Weddum late in the first half due to injury.

The Tigers have allowed an average of 215 yards rushing over the last four weeks, during which they are 2-2. Find out if ADM’s defense is up to the task of stopping Tarney and the Cyclones this Friday night on K107 and raccoonvalleyradio.com. Our coverage begins at 6:45 with kickoff at 7:30 for this winner-take-all affair in Adel. Remember – the winner of this game earns the fourth and final playoff spot in the district.

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