2021 Snapshot: Harrison
- Updated: June 22, 2021
Harrison QB Mason Young (photo from Hudl.com)
Time to start a new streak at Harrison. The Wildcats are coming off their first losing season since 2012, the inaugural season for the Southwest Ohio Conference. On the bright side, Harrison did pick up a playoff win for a second straight year. It is the first time that has happened in program history.
Harrison returns 14 of its 22 starters including eight on offense and four of five in the secondary. “The defense has good talent. We are just young (on that side of the ball),” head coach Derek Rehage states.
The Wildcats should return to their winning ways. The schedule is tough however, with seven teams that finished over .500. With the playoffs expanding to 16 teams there is a good chance that Harrison can extend their streak to three straight campaigns with at least one postseason victory.
Division II, Region 8
2020 RECORD: 3-7, 1-4 SWOC
COACH: Derek Rehage (29-15 at Harrison, four years; 29-15 overall, four years)
HONOR ROLL
Alex Peak, Sr, OL – Helped pave the way for a Wildcats offense that averaged 280.4 yards a game last season. Peak was named Second Team All-SWOC for his work.
Mason Young, Sr, QB – Was rock solid in his first year as a starter. Young threw for 1,863 yards, ran for 576 yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns (15 pass, seven rush) on his way to Honorable Mention All-SWOC accolades as a junior.
OTHER RETURNEES
Nathan Blank, Sr, WR – The Wildcats top returning receiver. Blank has 40 receptions for 447 yards and six touchdowns, in his career.
Zach Halusek, Sr, OL/DL – The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Halusek, will be a leader up front for the Wildcats.
Eric Cooper, Sr, RB/LB – Showed great promise at the end of last season which should carry over to this fall.
Grant Swope, Sr, K – One of the most reliable kickers in Southwest Ohio. Swope has connected on 82/85 extra points and 7/13 field goals (including 5/6 as a junior) for 103 points, in his career.
Jaxx Browning, Sr, DB – Back for his second season as a starter. Browning tallied 40 total tackles, as a junior.
Gage Behrens, Sr, DB – A returning starter in the secondary. Behrens was in on 24 total tackles with a fumble recovery, in 2020.
Dawson Haynie, Sr, DB – Another player who came on late in 2020. Look for more of the same this season.
Colin Kleine, Jr, OL – A returning starter whose presence should only make the Harrison offense that much more efficient.
Aydan MacKendrick, Jr, LB – Made quite the statement to end 2020 with nine solo tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, in the finale against Taylor.
Gavin Moore, Jr, LB – Was rock solid in his varsity debut as a sophomore. Moore registered 47 total tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble.
Kelyn Dallio, So, OL/DL – This has all the makings of a breakout season for Dallio. He had seven total tackles and a sack, as a freshman.
Joe Banks, So, OL – Will compete for a starting job on the o-line, this fall.
NEWCOMERS
Seniors LB Avery Vogt, DB Luke James, juniors WR Ben Smith, WR Brian Guthrie along with sophomores DL Gabe Funk, WR Luke Rodgers, OL/DL Josh Basich and LB Styker Reverman will look to make contributions on Friday night. Smith scored his first varsity touchdown on his first reception, in the playoffs versus Piqua last season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(14 appearances, 8-14) – 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2006, 1997, 1989, 1988 (Regional Champion), 1987
2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – WYOMING (10-1 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – at East Central (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – at Miamisburg (2-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – TROTWOOD-MADISON (4-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – CLINTON-MASSIE (9-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – at Talawanda (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Mount Healthy (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – at Ross (8-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – NORTHWEST (5-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – EDGEWOOD (6-4) – 7:00 PM
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