The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
CoachComm Cobalt Plus
Turf Tank
 

Harrisburg advances to the PIAA 6A Semi-Final with 44-6 win over Township

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 26, 2022

The Cougars of Harrisburg are returning to a familiar place, and they’ play a familiar face. With their 44-6 win over Manheim Township, the Cougars will return to the PIAA class 6A semi-finals and they’ll face a team they are all too familiar with, State College, at a place and time to be determined. This win, however, was one the Cougars wanted after losing to the Blue Streaks early in the season. Harrisburg jumped out to a 31-0 first half lead thanks in part to 4 touchdowns thanks to quarterback Shawn Lee’s two scores, some hard power running by Mahkai Hopkins and an electrifying 57 yard punt return by Kyle WIlliams. Lee finished the game with four total, three on the ground.

Hopkins and Lee got the scoring going by pounding the Township line on the first Cougar drive with hard running and some nice quarterback work. The 14 play, 71 yard drive was a nice mix of pass and run. Hopkins plowed in from the 3 and scored the two pointer to put the Cougars up 80 midway through the first quarter. From there, the Harrisburg defense took over. Township qb Logan Kushner completed a pass but the ball came loose and Harrisburg recovered it at the 46. Three plays later Lee found Hopkins for a 52 yard TD connection.

The Cougar defense continued it’s assault on the Blue Streaks backfield. Terrell Owens crushed Kushner for a 15 yard loss on a sack and eventually forced a punt. The Streaks defense returned the favor, and one more three and out by Township saw another punt, only this one was special for the Cougars. Kyle Williams fielded the punt at the Cougar 48, broke right and slid down the sideline toward the endzone.  Just like that the Cougers held a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter. “We’re playing really good football right now and that’s all you could ask” said Harrisburg head coach Cal Everett. “There’s some things we have to get better at, but we’ll let them enjoy the moment for the night, but we’ll get back at it tomorrow.”

Another turnover by Township cost them a chance at a score. The Streaks drove all the way to the 10, but a five yard penalty and a fumble by Kushner gave the ball back to the Cougars. On the next play, however, Township returned the favor by picking off Lee at the 32. A fourth down sack by the Cougar defense, however, ended that drive as well. Harrisburg drove the length of the field and Lee punched it in from the 4.

The second half started out with a bang for Township when Nick Palumbo stepped in front of a Lee pass and raced 45 yards for a score on the second play of the half, but the Harrisburg defense kept the Streaks in check the rest of the day.  “You can’t let a good team like that get the jump on you, especially when you let opportunities get away” said Township head coach Mark Evans, “I’m still really proud of the way our kids perservered all year. It’s a talented bunch.”

Gallery pics by David Chase

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
QwikCut
 
GoRout
 
Rainbow Lettering
 
x