Harrisburg Defends District 3 6A crown, 44-6 Over Manheim Township

Written by: Bruce Badgley on Saturday, November 26th, 2022. Follow Bruce Badgley on Twitter.

HARRISBURG – Harrisburg High is forging a legacy of excellence in District 3 football. Four of the last six years a District 3 Championship football game has featured the Harrisburg Cougars. In three of those six games, Harrisburg has emerged victorious. The Cougars started with a 5A title back in 2016. Harrisburg has now posted 6A crowns in 2021 and 2022. On Saturday afternoon, at Severance field, the Cougars had no trouble with Manheim Township in a 44-6 victory in a District Three 6A Championship win.

Harrisburg QB Shawn Lee Jr. had an outstanding performance in the win. Lee Jr ran for three scores and had a pitch and catch TD pass to Mahkai Hopkins as well. Hopkins had a TD run to open the game’s scoring.

@HBGCougar_FBall @piaadistrict3 6A Champions! @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/CzU6afQjqQ

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

The first quarter was the Mahkai-Hopkins show. Hopkins ran in a TD on the Cougars opening possession and also scored on a TD pass from Lee. The score was 16-0 after one for Harrisburg.

Mahkai Hopkins blasts it in along with the two pointer on @HBGCougar_FBall opening drive. 8-0 over @MTSD_ATHLETICS 4:32 quarter one @piaadistrict3 6A Championship @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/atgyMXw0cV

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

@HBGCougar_FBall recovers a @MTSD_ATHLETICS fumble at mid field. Two plays later Shaun Lee and Mahkai Hopkins team up on a 51 yard score! 2 pointer is good again! 16-0 3:23 quarter 1 @piaadistrict3 6A Championship @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/hus8M2sNVH

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

Quarter two featured two Harrisburg TDs as well. Kyle Williams took back a punt and Lee punched one across for the Cougars to make it 31-0 at the break.

Oh my! Kyle Williams takes the @MTSD_ATHLETICS punt and he does go all the way for @HBGCougar_FBall ! 2 pointer grabbed by Elias Coke it’s now 24-0 Cougars with 9:02 in the 1st half. @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/k8yKyLoxgH

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

@HBGCougar_FBall QB Shawn Lee Jr. in from the 4. The KICK is good! Cougars all over @MTSD_ATHLETICS 31-0 as we end the 1st half of the @piaadistrict3 6A Championship @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/flWhxsVcGY

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

Manheim’s bright spot was a pick six by Nick Palumbo early in quarter three. Harrisburg just shrugged the TD off and countered with two more Shawn Lee Jr. scores and a 44-6 final score.

Touchdown @MTSD_ATHLETICS ! Nick Palumbo the pick 6! Two pointer is no good. It’s now @HBGCougar_FBall up 31 – 6 10:48 quarter three @piaadistrict3 6A Championship @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/WwWkWScPie

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

Here is Shaun Lee Jr with the @HBGCougar_FBall TD! Back to a 38-6 lead over @MTSD_ATHLETICS 4:08 quarter three @piaadistrict3 6A Championship @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/9FplPiE7np

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022

Shawn Lee Jr. again for @HBGCougar_FBall The Cougars literally running away with the @piaadistrict3 6A Championship now up 44-6 over @MTSD_ATHLETICS @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/1eBmgsQagi

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 26, 2022