Harrisburg (3)
Conference: Mid-Penn Conference, Commonwealth Division
Class: AAAA
Nickname: Cougars
Coach: Calvin Everett
2012 Record: 11-3
Returning Players – Offense: Sr. RB Robert Martin; Sr. RB Darian Davis-Ray; Sr. WR De’Quan Ware; Sr. WR Carlos Balkcom
Returning Players – Defense: Sr. DL Andrew Brown; Sr. DB Carlos Balkcom
Special Teams: “I have a kicker back that has some experience. He is Mekhi Hicks. Kick/Punt returners are still to be determined this summer.”
Top Newcomers: Jr. RB/LB Sheldon Snell; Jr. WR/DB Amechie Walker
Coaches comments:
How’s your offensive line?
“Right now I don’t have any returning starters up front. Here are some names of guys that will compete for spots on the line: Jermaine Howell will be at Tackle. Warren Ritter will play either tackle or the guard position. Andrew Brown, Tyrell Cornelius, Ja’Quan Sawyers and Ja’Meel Sawyers will battle for a spot. We have some guys that will add depth. DeAndre Washington may play center. Those are the guys that are battling up front.”
How’s your quarterback?
“We don’t have a returning quarterback back. Mikale Clark and Shane Gillespie are battling for the spot. There isn’t a lot of differences between both players. But, Shane is more of a runner.”
How’s your running game look?
“We have Robert Martin back and Darian Davis-Ray back. I have another kid that transferred in from Bishop McDevitt. He is Sheldon Snell.”
How do your receiver’s look?
“We have no returning starters at receiver. De’Quan Ware is back. He started a few games last year. We have Christopher Franco and Janyle Davis battling for a spot. Carlos Balkcom is back. We have another Bishop McDevitt transfer. He is Amechie Walker.”
How’s your defensive line?
“On the line we have a returning two-year starter. He is Andrew Brown. We did lose him mid-way through the season last year with a knee injury. But he will be back this year. He is the only returning starter on the D-Line. Jermaine Howell, Warren Ritter and the Sawyer twins, Ja’Meel and Ja’Quan will all battle for the remaining spots.”
How about your linebackers?
“With no returning starters, Shawn Merritt-Simpson, Gary Jones and Sheldon Snell will battle for playing time. You can also add to the list, Robert Martin and Darian Davis-Ray. They both played linebacker last year.”
How about your secondary?
“I have a cornerback returning from last year. He only played a few games due to injury. His name is Carlos Balkcom. The other guys battling at the corner spot are Jorden Sumier, De’Quan Ware, Amechie Walker and Christopher Franco. Robert Martin should get time back there.”
What is the strength of your team? What is your key this year?
“Our strength is going to be our returning guys like Martin, Davis-Ray, Ware and Balkcom among a few others and our running game. We have experience there. The key is for the guys to stay together. The young guys are going to have to grow up fast.”
