Harrisburg hosts Central Dauphin Saturday at 1 p.m. in what promises to be an epic battle between Mid-Penn Commonwealth heavyweights. Who will emerge victorious? The Patriot-News' Andrew P. Shay and Eric F. Epler break down the combatants in the Prep Showdown.
Harrisburg Cougars’ keys to victory
1. Make no mistake. It will take discipline inside the blocks to escape Severance with a W. The Rams have a tendency to turn gifts into pre-Christmas gold.
2. Clear the air. Hard gains might be their bread & butter, but the Cougars need to connect on some deep routes. Getting that dangerous receiver involved is key.
Central Dauphin Rams keys to victory
1. Embrace the environment. It promises to be one crazy atmosphere at Severance Field. Keep the Cougars from feeding off the juice and enjoy the atmosphere.
2. Force Harrisburg to throw. Not that Cougars QB and his wideouts can’t be dangerous, but they are most comfortable when the run game is clicking on all cylinders.
EPLER’S PICK: Central Dauphin 21, Harrisburg 20.
SHAY’S PICK: Central Dauphin 17, Harrisburg 13.
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POSITIONAL TALE OF THE TAPE
QUARTERBACK
Harrisburg: Versatile Kyle Cook has assumed a leadership role and has collected eight TD passes against three picks. Next challenge is trying to bump that 45-percent completion rate.
CD: What’s not to like about the season senior Brandon LaVia has put together. He’s thrown for more than 800 yards with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. And a 61 percent completion rate always works.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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RUNNING BACK
Harrisburg: No one can deny the overall value of this group, which includes a bouncy Rob Martin, Dominique Shurns and opportunistic Darian Davis-Ray. Better wrap up and hold on, Rams.
CD: One less bullet in the chamber with Zayd Issah fighting through a knee injury. But Drew Scales has proven if called upon he can carry the load on his shoulders with no problem.
EDGE: EVEN
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RECEIVERS
Harrisburg: Another bounty of speed and artistry that could be a major thorn in CD’s antlers. Marcel Brown Jr., De’Quan Ware and Jalen Williams all have made big plays this season.
CD: In addition to being a missile at free safety, Jordan Bowman has become a solid target for LaVia. The senior has 16 grabs for 270 yards with three touchdowns. Just a friendly reminder Scales and Issah catch balls, too.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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OFFENSIVE LINE
Harrisburg: A bit overshadowed, the Cougars front has progressed nicely. C Robert Dennis, LG Robert Black and OT Brian Finley steer the ship. And the ship moves swiftly.
CD: Some position shifts over the last month as the Rams have fine tuned this talented group. But it’s still all the same guys who kick started the season. Tackles Dalton Brill and Jake Roesch have made big strides.
EDGE: EVEN
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DEFENSIVE LINE
Harrisburg: Here we go, a rock-solid base where Brian Carter, Finley, John Holmes and Roderick Malone lead the way. Hybrid Joe Adams and fellow DE Desmond Kent can knock out the lights.
CD: Quietly has become an aggressive bunch capable of attacking or occupying blockers to get the backers free. Ends Troy Slaughter and Nolan Pharris need to be keen on keeping containment.
EDGE: HARRISBURG
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LINEBACKERS
Harrisburg: Adams will shade into this position at times, complimenting the terrific work of Chris Britton and Martin. Big-hitting group that has caused major damage through six weeks.
CD: The loss of stud ILB Ben Mosey hurts. Still a hammer group with Issah and Daylin Russo roaming the outside. Codie Zimmerman steps in to Mosey’s spot.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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SECONDARY
Harrisburg: Potential is limitless for these guys. Jalen Kent helped detour CD East a week ago while CB Dan Strawbridge brings speed and savvy. Kyle Martin’s pace in center is a huge bonus.
CD: Talented and experienced trio with Scales and Andrew Burgwin at the corner and Bowman looking for those big hits in the middle. Must defend the deep sideline pass this week.
EDGE: HARRISBURG
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Harrisburg: Despite a 31-yard field goal by Mekhi Hicks a week ago, Harrisburg’s punt team deserved a stiff talking to after Saturday’s rift with the Panthers. No margin for error this week.
CD: The kicking game with Casey “The Leg” Hartzell launching bombs. Where he kicks the ball, not distance, will matter in this match-up. Scales is a just a ticking time bomb as a returner.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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COACHING
Harrisburg: If you need to bone up on Calvin Everett’s resume, here goes. After a rough 1-9 first season, and a near-catastrophic offseason, the Cougars are currently 5-1 and ranked eighth in the state.
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CD: It was all roses a year ago for head coach Glen McNamee and his loaded staff. Road this season has featured a few more speed bumps. Everyone will learn more about where this ship is headed Saturday.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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HARRISBURG STARTING LINEUPS
HARRISBURG OFFENSE
Quarterback
12 Kyle Cook
Running backs
2 Robert Martin
4 Darian Davis-Ray
Wide receivers
5 Jalen Williams
7 De’Quan Ware
21 Marcel Brown Jr.
Tight end
33 Chris Britton
Offensive line
64 Brian Finley (LT)
73 Robert Black (LG)
53 Robert Dennis (C)
74 Brian Carter (RG)
55 John Holmes (RT)
HARRISBURG DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
9 Jalen Kent
6 Dan Strawbridge
Free safety
8 Kyle Martin
Strong safety
4 Darian Davis-Ray
Defensive line
32 Joe Adams (DE)
64 Brian Finley
52 Roderick Malone
55 John Holmes or
74 Brian Carter
54 Desmond Kent (DE)
Linebackers
33 Chris Britton
2 Robert Martin
HARRISBURG SPECIALISTS
Kickers
11 Mekhi Hicks (K)
12 Kyle Cook (P)
Returners
5 Jalen Williams
9 Jalen Kent or
3 Dominique Shurns
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CENTRAL DAUPHIN STARTING LINEUPS
CENTRAL DAUPHIN OFFENSE
Quarterback
12 Brandon LaVia
Running backs
5 Drew Scales (TB)
27 Malachi Holmes (FB)
Wide receivers
1 Zayd Issah
11 Jordan Bowman
Tight end
44 Daylin Russo
Offensive line
77 Dalton Brill (OT)
64 Arthur Lewis (OG)
54 Nate Garland (C)
59 Spencer Chisholm (OG)
78 Jake Roesch (OT)
CENTRAL DAUPHIN DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
5 Drew Scales
6 Andrew Burgwin
Free safety
11 Jordan Bowman
Defensive line
60 Troy Slaughter (DE)
64 Arthur Lewis (DT)
59 Spencer Chisholm (DT)
55 Nolan Pharris (DE)
Linebackers
40 Steven McNeal
46 Codie Zimmerman
1 Zayd Issah
44 Daylin Russo
CENTRAL DAUPHIN SPECIALISTS
Kickers
3 Casey Hartzell (P-K)
Returners
5 Drew Scales
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