Offseason Program Profiles: Harrisburg Cougars
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2022 Season Recap It was a great 2022 season for the Cougars, going 11-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play. Their offense was one of the best in the central part of the state, averaging 33.5 points a game while…
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Continue Reading2022 Season Recap
It was a great 2022 season for the Cougars, going 11-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play. Their offense was one of the best in the central part of the state, averaging 33.5 points a game while their defense allowed just a mere 11.8 points a contest.
After starting their season with a 32-3 win over Delaware Valley, they suffered an early setback against Manheim Township. After that first loss, they would go on to win nine of their next 10 games including wins over Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Wilson, and Central York, and a revenge win over Manheim Township in the playoffs. Their only loss in the stretch came against State College.
After outing Manheim Township, the Cougars got revenge once again on State College in the state semi-finals with a 27-7 win. Their season, however, would fall just short of their ultimate goal as they ran into the full-powered and well-oiled machine known as St. Joes Prep who defeated Harrisburg 42-7 in the state championship game.
Key Losses:
RB Kyle Williams Kyle Williams 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2023 State PA Jr (168 carries, 1,118 yards, 17 TD ; 55 receptions, 668 yards, 8 TD)
DE Terrell Reynolds Terrell Reynolds 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Harrisburg | 2023 State PA (113 tot tackles, 73 solo, 32 TFL, 22.5 sacks)
WR Ameer Grandberry Ameer Grandberry 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Harrisburg | 2023 State PA (34 receptions, 411 yards, 1 TD)
SS Amir Jones Amir Jones 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Harrisburg | 2023 State PA (86 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 4 interceptions)
RB Mahkai Hopkins Mahkai Hopkins 6'2" | 240 lbs | RB Harrisburg | 2023 State PA (203 carries, 1,361 yards, 16 TD)
WR Amir Jones Amir Jones 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Harrisburg | 2023 State PA (12 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD; 4 interceptions, 10 passes defended)
ATH Zakaii Lewis (82 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 interceptions)
ATH Amarion McMillian (30 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception)
OL Shamar Humphrey
OL Tymere Jennings
Key Returners:
2025 QB Shawn Lee (140-for-207, 67.6%, 1,744 yards, 17 TD, 8 INT)
2026 WR Elias Coke Elias Coke 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2026 State PA (24 receptions – 409 yards – 6 TD)
2024 WR Nayquan Prather ( 7 receptions – 82 yards)
2025 ATH Quincy Brannon Quincy Brannon 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2025 State PA ( 8 receptions – 42 yards ; 2 interceptions, 16 passes defended)
2025 LB Kymir Williams (65 tackles, 12.0 TFL)
2024 LB Demone Maxwell (82 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks)
2024 DE Ryan Epps Ryan Epps 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Harrisburg | 2024 State PA (63 tackles, 18.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries
2024 DB Rytel Bryant (54 tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defended)
2024 OL/DL Trenton Moffitt (24 tackles, 3 TFL)
2024 OL Sir Kayne Vennable
2025 OL Kamerel Singleton-Brown
2024 OL Elijah Murphy
2023 Season Outlook:
The Cougars are going to have to replace a ton of talent, there’s no question about that. With that, the beginning of their season may be a little tougher as they gel together and look to replace those key pieces. That being said, this program has repeatedly been able to replace big-time contributors in the past and I expect the same in 2023. Replacing the running back duo of Kyle Williams Kyle Williams 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2023 State PA Jr and Mahkai Hopkins Mahkai Hopkins 6'2" | 240 lbs | RB Harrisburg | 2023 State PA may be their biggest test – quarterback Shawn Lee was third in rushing yards this past season but someone else will need to carry the load for the Cougars. Right now Mekhi Newman appears to have the upper hand to do so.
Replacing defensive end Kyle Williams Kyle Williams 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2023 State PA and strong safety Amir Jones Amir Jones 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Harrisburg | 2023 State PA will also be incredibly tough. Reynolds was one of the most productive defensive ends in the state and that talent simply doesn’t grow on trees. Jones, on the other hand, was a strong stabilizing presence in the secondary for Harrisburg.
The good news, however, is that they do return offensively most of their offensive line as well as quarterback Shawn Lee Jr. Watch for 2026 wide receiver Elias Coke Elias Coke 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2026 State PA to have a breakout season this upcoming year and I also expect 2024 wideout Nayquan Pather to see more production as well. Finally, defensively, while they do lose Reynolds and Jones, they still return a strong amount of their production from last season including 2024 linebacker Demone Maxwell, 2025 linebacker Kymir Williams, and defensive end Ryan Epps Ryan Epps 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Harrisburg | 2024 State PA .
If the Cougars can find a way to replace their lost production quickly next fall, they have a chance to once again be competing for a state championship come December.