The 9-2 Harlem Bulldogs have moved into the second round of the GHSA state playoffs and will be back on the road to face the 10-1 Jefferson Dragons on Friday evening.
The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive come-from-behind win against the Heritage Generals. Heritage had an early 14-point lead on the Bulldogs in the first quarter. However, Harlem would not be phased, as they would come back and win 28-21 to claim a road playoff win.
“Our guys are resilient,” Harlem Head Coach Mark Boiter said. “We were down 14 early, but we knew we were down because of mistakes we made. Our guys knew that if we made some simple adjustments and protected the football we could get back into the game quickly.”
A senior-heavy roster
Harlem’s roster is loaded with experienced players. The roster includes 31 seniors, many of whom have been starters since their freshman or sophomore seasons. Their experience has shaped the identity of this year’s team.
“We have 31 seniors who have a lot of experience,” Boiter said. “Many of them have started for us since they were freshmen and sophomores. They bring a lot of experience and leadership to our team. They are a tight group that have been a part of four very successful teams during their time at Harlem.”
A tough second-round opponent ahead
The Bulldogs now face a Jefferson team who is ranked in the top 30 in the state, according to MaxPreps.
“Jefferson has a really good team,” Boiter said. “We need to play our best football of the season. We have to execute our game plan with consistency, match their physicality, and win the turnover margin.”
Harlem will lean on its senior leadership, defensive intensity and ball-security emphasis as it seeks its deepest playoff run in program history.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 at Jefferson High School.
