The Harrisburg Cougars and Exeter Twp. Eagles faced off for the first time in a District Three quarterfinal playoff game on Friday Night. Both teams had momentum going into the post season. Harrisburg was coming off an impressive road win over perennial District Three powerhouse Cumberland Valley. Exeter Twp was on a six-game win streak going into the playoffs Something had to give. Both teams started slowly, but the Cougars took control in the second quarter and never looked back. Harrisburg defeated Exeter Twp. 36-10 Friday night.
Harrisburg was paced on both sides of the ball by Micah Parsons and Joel Davis. Parsons had three touchdowns and was a monster on the defensive line. Davis scored on a nine-yard run. Joel also had a key interception and punt return to set up Cougar scores.
Harrisburg Head Coach Calvin Everett felt the team needs to start out faster in games. “We can’t wait to get started. We need to get started when the game kicks off. It feels good to get to the second round, but I’m definitely not satisfied. We have a long road to go.”
The game started out slowly for both teams. Neither team could get any offensive rhythm going due to tough defense and untimely penalties. Harrisburg mounted a drive late in the quarter and Micah Parsons jetted around the end for a 16-yard touchdown The first quarter came to an end, and it was 6-0 Cougars.
Exeter came right back with a drive of their own. The Eagles marched down the field but the drive stalled. A Tyler Benz FG made it 6-3 Harrisburg with 6:17 left in the half. The Cougars answered right back An 82-yard drive was culminated by a Joel Davis nine-yard run. Harrisburg was now up 13-3 with 1:44 till half. Exeter tried to get some points just before half. Joel Davis intercepted an Exeter pass and a sparkling return later got the Cougars on the Exeter doorstep. Micah Parsons scored on a 19-yard catch and run that took the air out of Exeter. Harrisburg had a 20-3 advantage going into half.
Exeter got the second half kick and marched right back. A Braelin Grill short TD got Exeter back in the game 20-10 with 8:22 left in quarter three. Harrisburg answered back with a 33-yard FG. At the 5:30 mark of quarter three, it was 23-10 Harrisburg. Exeter was forced to punt on their next possession. Joel Davis had a spectacular return for the Cougars deep into Eagles territory. A Parsons three-yard score made it 30-10 Harrisburg as the third quarter ended.
A touchdowns by Dupri Andrews at the 7:25 mark of quarter four, made it 36-10 Harrisburg. The Harrisburg defense held down the stretch and the final was Cougars 36, Exeter Twp. 10.
Dupri Andrews makes it Harrisburg 36 @ExeterAthletics 10 7:25 left @EPAFootball @EdOBrienScout @AndyBrackets @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/nLE7yzWWxK
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 12, 2016
Harrisburg moves on to face the #1 seed in District Three 5A Governor Mifflin next week. Mifflin had no trouble defeating Waynesboro 41-14 Friday night.
