PIAA Class 5A preview: Harrisburg (3) 11-3

Written by: David Mika on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

2016 Schedule

Archbishop Wood Preview

Scoring Stats

2016 Season: O 37.4 D 13.2

2016 Playoffs: O 43.0 (GP-4) D 15.2 (GP-4)

 

Here’s a breakdown of Harrisburg’s projected starters (in bold) in the Class 5A PIAA State Championship game.

 

Quarterback

Jr. Yahmir Wilkerson 6-1 200

 

Wilkerson completed 127 of 210 passes for 2,019 yards, 24 touchdowns and four interceptions. He can make all the throws and especially the deep ball. He makes good decisions and is a threat running the ball.

 

Coach’s comments, “Yahmir is very smart and one of his biggest strengths now is he is able to hang in the pocket. He is trusting his lineman and is able to deliver the ball.”

 

Wide Receivers

Jr. Shaquon Anderson-Butts 6-2, 170; Jr. Ronald Kent Jr. 5-9, 160; Sr. Joel Davis 5-10, 180; Jr. Donnell Henriques 5-11, 175

 

Anderson-Butts is their leading receiver. He caught 37 passes for 708 yards and nine touchdowns. Davis caught 33 passes for 552 yards and seven touchdowns. Henriquez caught 17 passes for 330 yards. Kent caught 21 passes for 271. This group of receivers are a nightmare for defenses. They all have speed and can go deep. It’s a tough matchup for any team. Also Isaiah Sawyers might see some playing time.

 

Coach’s comments, “They all bring something different to the table. They are all extremely versatile and can do a little bit of everything. Our two home run hitters are Shaquon and Ronald. Those guys have phenomenal speed. Joel and Donnell have great speed too and can go deep. But they work the middle a lot for us.”

 

Offensive Lineman

Sr. LT Shaun Harris 6-0, 210; So. LG Jeff Chisholm 5-9, 240; Sr. C Chris Rojas 5-10, 200; Jr. RG Fernando Genao 6-0, 225; Jr. RT Dionte Payne 6-0, 215

 

Coach’s comments, “They are very smart, recognize things and are able to pickup blitzes. We have a very mobile line. They are able to get in space and get on the linebackers.”

 

Running Backs

Jr. Dupri Andrews 5-8, 185; Jr. Micah Parsons 6-3, 235

 

Andrews has rushed for 358 yards on 59 carries and three touchdowns. Parsons has rushed for 442 yards on 47 carries and eight touchdowns.

 

Coach’s comments, “Dupri is very good in the passing game as far as protection wise. He runs extremely hard and has a low center of gravity. He protects the ball and does all the little things well. Micah is the big bruising back who will run right through you.”

 

Defensive Line

Jr. DE Micah Parsons 6-3, 235; Sr. DE Damion Barber Jr. 6-4, 250; Sr. DT Shaun Harris 6-0 210; Sr. DT Raymond Allen 6-1, 360

 

This is one of the best defensive lines in the state led by Parsons and Barber.

 

Coach’s comments, “Damion plays great in the run game. He gets after the quarterback in the pass game. He does it all just like Parsons. They both play great on the edge. They can pass, run, or defend the run. Raymond is our big plug and stuffs the middle. He does a great job stuffing the run. Harris may be smaller but is quicker and is able to hold his ground against the big boys.”

 

Linebackers

Jr. Dionte Payne 6-0, 215; Sr. Jacque Jackson 5-10, 200; Sr. Shatique Patterson 5-7, 195

 

Look for Jai Burney to rotate in at outside linebacker.

 

Coach’s comments, “They do a great job reading offenses and being prepared each week. Dionte is a good run stopper. Jacque is able to run side-to-side well. Shatique is very fast and good in the pass game.”

 

Secondary

Jr. CB Donnell Henriquez 5-11, 175; Jr. CB Ronald Kent Jr. 5-9, 160; Sr. FS Joel Davis 5-10, 180; Sr. SS Zion Patterson

 

 

Coach’s comments, “They defend the pass well and are physical in the run game. Justin Carter and Rynell Gantt Jr. will rotate in.”

 

 

Final thoughts: Harrisburg has to not hurt themselves with turnovers against Wood this Friday night. They have one of the top front seven in Pennsylvania and they need to find a way to slow down Wood’s offense and big play ability. Micah Parsons is a beast on both sides off the ball and could be a difference maker in this game. On defense Harrisburg needs to give different looks and that could be another key in the game.

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