Coke and Harrisburg hold off Cedar Cliff 28-20

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Quincy Piper | September 21, 2024

“Definitely mixed feelings right now; happy we came out victorious, but ya know…” Coach Calvin Everett shared his first thoughts following the win. “The biggest thing we have to be able to capitalize in the red zone—that’s something we’ve been talking about a lot.”

Harrisburg, known for their big-play ability, got the train rolling before some fans had found their seats. Jaiyon Lewis hit Messiah Mickens on a swing pass, and he was able to break a few tackles on his way to a 37-yard gain. That would set up an Elias Coke touchdown from 29 yards out. (11:13 1st, PAT good, 7-0.) Cedar Cliff, to their credit, came out swinging on their first series, moving the ball in the air and on the ground, before Bennett Secrest put one where only his receiver could get it as Amarion Autry pulled down a jump ball for a 15-yard score. (PAT good, 7-7, 7:50 1st.)

The next Harrisburg drive made it clear that we had a ballgame brewing. Jaiyon Lewis and company moved the ball with ease, picking up three first downs before the drive stalled right inside the 10. Lewis almost had a touchdown as the play broke down; he scrambled out to his left and nearly scored, but he was forced down at the three, turning the ball over to the Colts. Cedar Cliff wasn’t able to take advantage of the momentum, though, as they went three-and-out.

Harrisburg got in for the final time in the first half on the next drive, as Jaiyon Lewis picked up touchdown pass number two, finding Penn State pledge Messiah Mickens for a twelve-yard touchdown. (PAT good, 14-7, 8:09 2nd.) Cedar Cliff, behind a 97-yard day from PJ Dent, ran the ball well all night, and this drive was no exception. They managed to take over 7:30 seconds off the clock, executing a near-perfect play-action pass as Bennett Secrest connected with his little brother Blake for a four-yard touchdown. (14-14, PAT good, 12.9 2nd.)

Coach Cal lit a fire under his ball club to start the second half, and Elias Coke had this to say: “Yeah, Coach definitely woke us up a bit. He was honest; he just said we need to start playing to our potential or we could lose this game.” Jaiyon Lewis was able to lead his team down the field following the Cedar Cliff three-and-out, scoring on a two-yard run. (21-14, PAT good, 6:01.)

Elias Coke took “Coach Cal’s” halftime sentiment to heart, clearly, as he picked off his first of two passes in the game—this one for a 53-yard touchdown. “That was crazy, man. I just saw the ball and knew I had to go up and attack it. I came down and I kinda just saw green grass from there. My mind was pretty blank; I just knew I had to score.” (28-14, PAT good, 4:49 3rd.) Cedar Cliff managed to get a drive going the next series, but the stout Harrisburg secondary secured their second pick in as many possessions. Cedar Cliffwasn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet, as they drove down the field following a Harrisburg punt, capping off the drive with a PJ Dent touchdown run from five yards out. (PAT blocked, 28-20, 6:53 4th.)

Cedar Cliff forced a quick Cougar three-and-out on the ensuing series and took over with upset potential. The Colts converted three consecutive fourth-down conversions in the series, but on the fourth such occasion, Elias Coke picked off Bennett Secrest in the end zone, sealing the Cougar win.

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