Central Dauphin East 25-Harrisburg 16

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by Craig Dunn

It was a grey and lazy day in Harrisburg, PA and that is exactly how the 2011 edition of the Harrisburg vs. Central Dauphin East game started. That is, until with 4:30 left in the 1st quarter, CD East #7 Harris Scott ran a Harrisburg  punt back for a touchdown making the score 6-0. Harrisburg’s subsequent 3 and out was not much of a counter, but the Cougar defense stepped up to force a turnover on CD East’s next possession to set up a field goal that  narrowed the margin to 6-3. 

CD East drove the first possession of the second quarter and converted that drive into a field goal making the score 9-3. It looked as though the Panthers were ready to take control of the game, until Harrisburg intercepted a CD East pass that set up a touchdown to push Harrisburg ahead 10-9 with 5:40 left in the 2nd quarter. The Panthers were not looking to go into halftime facing a deficit and a field goal with :05 left in the 2nd Quarter sent CD East into half with a 12-10 lead. 

The 3rd Quarter was a back and forth of punts. As the score going into the 4th Quarter remained 12-10.

The 4th Quarter belonged to the CD East. The Panthers punched in a touchdown with 9:10 left in the game. On the ensuing Harrisburg possession, CD East took an interception to the house to put the game out of reach at 25-10. 

The Cougars didn’t go down without a fight. With 1:00 left in the game, Harrisburg blocked a Panther punt and ran it back for a touchdown bringing the score to 25-16.  But that is as close as it got and CD East claimed victory over Harrisburg HS.

CD East #7 Harris Scott was named the Great American Rivalry Series MVP.