Yes, Harlan is definitely for real. They are now 11-3. One loss was to Glenwood in a game which they had a lead for part of the time and ended up losing 4-2 in a state-type atmosphere. Another loss was to Carrol Kuemper. That was one of those games where nothing went right and came to shooting PKs twice. Their last loss was to St. Alberts in overtime with a few kids missing from their line-up.
Creston might be sour because Harlan played their worst game of the year and yet were still clearly the better team on the field that day.
Harlan has a tough first round game against Denison at Denison, which will be much tougher than the 4-1 rout earlier this year at Harlan.