2020sports, here's my views/research on Harrisburg this year. I have them #1 in D3.
1 Harrisburg 12-2 6A
The Cougars are loaded with their key people back to face a challenging opening slate of 5 teams, two of which will challenge for district honors. But they return big numbers including both quarterbacks in Shawn Lee (1122-62%, 10/4, soph) and #2 Zakii Curry-Lewis (583-82%! 6/5, jr) along with most of their key skill people in FB/MLB Mahkai Hopkins (194-1023, 102 tackles, UConn) and all-everything Kyle Williams (115-740r, 70-788p, Temple, Rich, NH). They’ll fill in some OL vacancies to again be a force offensively after averaging 27ppg last year. Sirkayne Venable (6-5, 320, sr) and Tymere Jennings (6-0, 280, sr) are back and Ryan Epps (6-1, 250, jr) who was mostly DL. The defense that allowed 15 a game will be special with 9 starters and co-starters back. Their DE’s and LB crew look fearsome featuring Terrell Reynolds (6-2, 235, 123 tackles) and last year’s outstanding soph Ryan Epps (6-1, 250, jr, 69 tackles) at DE with MLB Mahkai Hopkins (6-2, 235, 91stops) plugging the middle. Reynolds is one of the top DLs in the state. OLB Micah Chambers (6-0, 190, 93 tackles) and last year’s great freshman Kymir Williams (5-9, 185, so, 42 stops) are back with the versatile SS/LB Kyle Williams (6-0, 185, sr, 24 stops). The secondary also returns DB/WR Amir Jones (6-2, 190, sr, 41, UConn) and Ameer Grandberry (5-8, 150, sr, 38 tackles). Trentin Moffitt (5-10, 240, jr), Shamar Humphrey (6-0, 250, sr) and Tymeer Jennings (6-2, 285, sr) will man the trenches. They’re looking for big things from Elias Cody-Coke (6-3, 185, frosh), opening with St. Vincent Pallotti (5-6) of the MIAA-A (Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Asso) in the Peach Bowl Classic in Chambersburg. The MIAA is a private school conference in the Baltimore-Annapolis area with quality schools like Calvert Hall (9-3), Mount St. Joseph (7-4), McDonogh (6-6) and Archbishop Spalding (10-1). Then its back-to-back against Delaware Valley (9-4) and Manheim Township (6-5) before opening Mid Penn-Commonwealth action on the road against Carlisle (7-4). Cumberland Valley (5-5) will be the conference home opener. We’ll know early if they have the team to make a run at States. I think they do with historically one of the best defenses in the state and coach Cal Everett (2011 hire 88-42, 60-13 last 6) at the helm. He replaced the legendary George Chaump who went 62-29. Last year’s young group started a freshman quarterback and won the MP-Commonwealth and districts to set the stage for this year’s run at States.
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Note: Coach Cal Everett to miss first 3 games
Note: Work is in progress to complete a renovation of Severance Field by kickoff with the addition of lights, a new turf surface, goal posts, and a new track