It's no secret, building a program takes time. Ask Harmon head coach Keith O'Neal, who inherited a squad with just 22 players on its roster. Now in Year 2, O'Neal's no excuses allowed (No-X Mentality) approach is drawing more athletes from hallways inside the school to the Hawks' sidelines.
As of this week, more than 60 players were in the program, according to a post on O'Neal's X (formerly known as Twitter) feed.
Despite the uptick in numbers, the wins haven't followed — the Hawks are 0-4 this season and own an 18-game losing streak — but progress is being made, O'Neal said. Harmon is 2-25 since the 2019 season.
"The focus for each game is to take it one play at a time," O'Neal said. "We have shown this year that we are competitors and have made major leaps towards becoming a successful program. My guys are still learning how to remain in dawg fights for four quarters as they have never seen this type of program progression since 2019."
Defense is by far the Hawks' strength, O'Neal said.
"Last year, we couldn’t even get two turnovers for the season; this year we already have 10 (three interceptions, seven fumble recoveries)," he said.
On offense, the Hawks are still learning a new offensive system, according to O'Neal. And it shows on the scoreboard. Through four games, Harmon has been shut out twice and scored 13 total points. Last season, the Hawks scored six points in eight games.
But there is hope.
In a Week 4 loss to Topeka Highland Park, Harmon had its first running back in five years rush for 100 yards in a game.
Freshman running back Adrian Fernandez and sophomore running back Emontee Day have been Harmon's offensive workhorses this year, O'Neal said. Going into Week 5's DiPasquale Moore/Preps KC Metro Game of the Week against Wyandotte (0-4), both were close to 200 rushing yards on the season, according to O'Neal.
The backfield mates are explosive, which takes pressure off the team's quarterback position, O'Neal said.
"We are moving the needle, but our offense is still working to find its way," he said.
Two-way players James Reeves and Gabriel Rodriguez, both seniors, have been bright spots as wide receivers and defensive backs, O'Neal said.
He added: senior offensive lineman and nose guard Julian Bush has been a "dawg in the trenches."
Wyandotte has fared much better finding the end zone than its counterparts from Harmon. Last week, the Bulldogs lost to Sumner Academy (1-4) 33-20. In Week 3, Wyandotte lost to Schlagle (2-3) 28-19. Topeka Highland Park (4-0) and Ruskin (1-4) outscored the Bulldogs 94-14 in consecutive weeks to open the season.
The team's defensive improvement over the last two games has been noticeable, Wyandotte head coach Marcus Vaughn said.
"Our defense is starting to play well," he said.
Slow starts have been the Bulldogs' undoing, Vaughn said. Through four weeks, Wyandotte has yet to play well for four quarters, Vaughn said.
"We have to improve on playing a full game instead of a half," he said. "Playing hard right from the beginning is a key to this game coming up."
Wyandotte running back Jaleel Black is coming off a 200-yard rushing performance against Sumner. Black was difficult to contain against the Sabres. Vaughn wants more of the same against Harmon.
"I hope Jaleel Black can follow up with another 200 yard rushing performance this game," Vaughn said.
In this Meadowlark League showdown, will Harmon (0-4 in league play) stop its 18-game losing skid and give O'Neal his first victory as a Hawk?
Not if Wyandotte's Vaughn and the Bulldogs (0-3 in league play) have a say.
