The Cougars lost eight starters on each side of the ball, but with the likes of Robert Martin and Darian Davis Ray in the backfield Harrisburg will be a squad looking to pound teams with its running game. The defense has some chops at linebacker and in the secondary but the key to moving forward in 2013 will be on the offensive and defensive lines. This is their Countdown to Kickoff preview.
School Name: Harrisburg Cougars
Coach: Calvin Everett
Last Year: 11-3, 6-1 Commonwealth
Last 5 Years: 32-26
Returning Starters: 3 on offense; 3 on defense
Key Players: RB-LB Robert Martin; RB-DB Darian Davis Ray; WR-DB Daquan Ware; WR-DB Ameechie Walker; OL-DL Andrew Brown; WR-DB Carlos Balkcom; RB-LB Sheldon Snell; QB Micale Clark; OL-DL Jermain Howell; RB-LB Jakodi McCraw.
Offense Overview: This one is pretty easy, really. The Cougars are going to run the football. Good luck stopping this stable of running backs. Rutgers recruit Robert Martin leads the parade after totaling 1,812 yards on only 149 carries with 18 touchdowns. Darian Davis Ray is bigger and stronger after totaling 435 yards on 55 totes with seven touchdowns. And Bishop McDevitt transfer Sheldon Snell will be part of the equation. New quarterback Micale Clark will work his way into the picture over time in terms of being a factor. The big question mark for Harrisburg is the offensive line. The backs get all the attention, and rightly so, but those lads up front play a role. And the Cougars have precious few linemen with experience. Up front will be the work in progress to keep an eye on. But the talent at running back is some of the best and deepest of any club in the state.
{% embed_image 'http://hssn-media.advance.net/PennLive.com/news/dd95f37d5a45213b958e875ef4574853/DAVIS RAY COUGARS.jpg' %}Defense Overview: This group was a force in 2012 – particularly against the run. The reason was that talented and veteran secondary was so good it allowed the front seven to go into full attack mode. There are only three starters back from a group that surrendered less than 70 yards a game on the ground and 17 points per outing. Martin and Davis Ray will be the anchors, but eight new starters means there will be some speed bumps to navigate in the early weeks. That’s not to say the Cougars don’t have players capable of doing the job. At Harrisburg, there’s always somebody. And the way this team flies to the ball, talent is more valuable than experience on the defensive side of the ball.
Biggest Game: Oct. 11 at Central Dauphin
More Harrisburg: 2013 Schedule | Tentative 2013 Roster
Shay’s Crystal Ball: The general feeling is the Cougars, after sharing the Commonwealth Division crown and reaching the District 3-AAAA championship game, are a strong candidate to be hovering near the top of the division most of the season. Harrisburg has only six starters back, but the Commonwealth has more balance this season than in recent years. And with those running backs, the Cougars have to be part of the conversation. The quarterback isn’t a position that gives me a pause for concern. The offensive line is the biggest question mark. Only three starters return on defense as well, but something tells me there’s enough talent to fit this system to be a strong unit with each passing week. And never, ever forget what can happen on special teams at any given moment. If this group can’t run the ball on a consistent basis, then trouble is on the horizon. The skill players are in place. This will be up to the guys up front as well.
More: Complete Countdown to Kickoff coverage
SHAY ON TWITTER: @APShay
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