The last and only time that Harrisburg and Governor Mifflin faced off was back in the the District 3 4A final won by the Cougars in 2007. Friday night in Shillington, the Cougars and Mustangs met once again. This time the winner would move on to Hershey for a chance at the District 3 5A title. A hard fought first half turned in to a third quarter blow out by Harrisburg. The Cougars punched their ticket to Hershey by throttling #1 seeded Governor Mifflin, 46-21 in Shillington Friday night.
Recent transfer Micah Parsons had a transcendent performance. Unblock-able on defense, Micah had three TD runs to pace the offense. The Harrisburg defense also had a stellar game which included two interception return TD’s.
Harrisburg Senior Joel Davis said, “We stayed focused and came to practice all week to get ready to play.” Joel also said that mediocre pre-season predictions kept the team fired up all season. “At the beginning of the season someone wrote that we were going to be to be 5-5, 6-4 at best. That has kept us fired up all season.” Harrisburg Head Coach Calvin Everett had high praise for Micah Parsons. ” He is a great addition to our team,” said Coach Everett. He also felt his regular season schedule in the Mid Penn Commonwealth conference prepared the Cougars for post season success. “I think our conference is one of the top conferences in the state. That conference prepares us for these post season moments.”
The game started out as a defensive struggle. As the first quarter ended, Harrisburg mounted a drive. Joel Davis’s three yard run made it 7-0 Cougars which is how the first quarter ended. Harrisburg dominated quarter two. Micah Parson’s first of three TD’s on the night pulled the Cougars in front 14-0 with 10:10 left in the half. The Harrisburg D was in total control in the first half and totally shut down the Mifflin offense. The next Harrisburg possession resulted in a 69-yard TD reception from Shaquon Anderson-Butts. A botched extra point snap turned into a two-point conversion. We went into the break with Harrisburg in control 22-0.
Mifflin received the second half kick and finally began to move the ball. The Mustangs were forced to take to the air rather than via their formidable ground attack. Aaron Grill’s 23-yard TD reception got Mifflin back into the game 22-7 at the 6:49 mark of the third quarter.
Harrisburg quickly took control of the game once again. A quick drive was culminated with a highlight reel run by Micah Parsons. Micah ran 32 yards breaking numerous Mustang tackles to the end zone.
Micah Parsons nuff said Harrisburg up 28-7 over @GovMifflinSD @EPAFootball @EdOBrienScout @HSFBamerica @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/YsZSWP8SdK
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 19, 2016
The next three minutes were Mifflin’s undoing. A Micah Parson’s 21-yard TD was sandwiched by two interception return TD’s in a three minute span. Harrisburg was up 46-7 going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter had a late offensive surge by Mifflin. The Mustangs scored two TD’s as Harrisburg rested it’s starters and tried to run out the clock. The final score was Harrisburg 46 Governor Mifflin 21. Harrisburg faces off with Manheim Central in the District Three 5A final next Friday in Hershey. The Barons crushed Cocalico 50-13 to move on to Hershey. Governor Mifflin’s successful season ends as Berks One champs and a 10-2 record.
