Harrisburg has cleared several hurdles to reach district title game vs. Wilson
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Two days before their season-opener against state-ranked La Salle College the Harrisburg Cougars learned they would be without their team leader and quarterback Shawn Lee Jr., who was ruled ineligible by the PIAA.
The Cougars, early favorites to win a fourth straight District 3 Class 6A title with Lee Jr. running the show, were thrown for a loop. They were blasted in their opener 45-7 and, as coach Calvin Everett said, “searching for some direction.”
A week later converted receiver Jaiyon Lewis got his first start at quarterback against state-ranked Bishop McDevitt. He directed a clutch drive in the final minutes to force regulation, then threw a two-point conversion pass in overtime as the Cougars won 35-33.
Ten weeks later Harrisburg (10-2) is back in the district championship game, set to play second-seeded Wilson (11-1) Saturday at 1 at Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium. It has not been a smooth ride getting there.
The Cougars (10-2) lost Penn State line recruit Kevin Brown to a broken foot in the McDevitt game. They lost Syracuse running back recruit D’Antae Sheffey to a broken hand in the season-opener.
“It seemed like everything was snowballing on us,” Everett said.
Despite the early hits the Cougars slugged out six straight wins in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth, including a 7-6 victory over state-ranked State College in Week 3.
The only blemish on the resume since the season-opener is a 24-21 Week 8 loss to Cumberland Valley team, which entered that game with a losing record.
The Cougars haven’t lost since. Sheffey, who transferred from State College, returned late in the season and Brown was back on the line last week for a 35-14 win at Manheim Township, the No. 1 seed in the field. Despite the early turmoil the Cougars seemingly have regained their equilibrium.
“Obviously, we had some issues with injuries early in the season,” Everett said. “It just took some time to get some continuity and establish an identity.”
Lee Jr. had been the face of the program. He was not only an All-State defensive back – that’s the position he’ll play at Pitt – but a tremendous dual-threat quarterback who kept plays alive with his feet and who had the arm to deliver deep balls to his fleet receivers. As a junior he threw for 2,256 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 1,451 yards and nine scores.
Both District 3 and the PIAA ruled that Lee Jr. exhausted his high school athletic ability. After learning he couldn’t play for a PIAA school he transferred to Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y.; he plans to enroll at the University of Pittsburgh in January.
“Shawnie was our leader,” Everett said. “He was our heart and soul. He knew the offense inside and out. We lost a lot with Shawnie.”
Lee Jr. was one of three returning All-State picks, along with Brown and defensive back Quincy Brown.
Penn State recruit Messiah Mickens has stepped in to fill the void. He transferred from Trinity before this season and has been the Cougars’ top player on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns last week against Township; he has rushed for 1,091 yards and 17 TDs.
Mickens has been even more important on defense where he has emerged as a pocket-collapsing end – a skill he didn’t show at Trinity. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Commonwealth Division after recording 13 ½ sacks, 27 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback hurries.
Mickens’ pressure has been a big reason Harrisburg has 20 takeaways, including 17 interceptions, and is a plus-9 in turnover differential. All-League defensive back Elias Coke has five interceptions; Brannon has four.
“He never sank his teeth into defense (before),” Everett said of the 6-foot, 200-pound Mickens. “I’m extremely excited about his progress and where he’s at right now. We like to let him get after the quarterback.”
It should be fun watching Mickens chase after elusive Wilson quarterback Madyx Gruber, who has run for 715 yards and eight scores while throwing for 1,885 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s one of the top all-around athletes the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
“We have to find a way to keep him contained,” Everett said.
Gruber, a two-year starter at cornerback, who been a key piece of a Wilson defense that ranks No. 2 in the league in total defense.
Mickens is one of nine first-team all-league selections – an impressive number considering the Cougars compete against state powers such as Bishop McDevitt and State College for those honors.
The all-league list includes defensive back Ky’Mir Williams, a St. Francis recruit, and sophomore linebacker Rick Brown, who is expected to soon start drawing big-time college interest.
Lewis didn’t earn postseason honors but he’s been a key part in seeing the Cougars return to the championship game for the sixth time in seven years. He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,646 yards and 16 TDs. Half of his eight interceptions came in one game, the loss to Cumberland Valley. He’s also run for 466 yards, second on the team.
