The District 3 football playoffs round out with two juggernauts squaring off Saturday afternoon at Reiffton as fourth-seeded Harrisburg takes on second-seeded Wilson for the District 3 Class 6A championship at 1 p.m.
The Cougars (10-2) have been dominant in the District 3 playoffs. Dating back to the 2021 quarterfinals, Harrisburg has won 11 straight in the 6A tournament, which includes a 14-10 victory over the Bulldogs in the 2021 championship, as well as a 32-21 win over Wilson in the 2022 6A quarterfinals.
In addition, the Cougars have won the last three 6A championships and boast a 30-16 overall record in the district playoffs with a 6-3 record in championship games.
For Wilson, Saturday’s game is its first go at a district title since the defeat in 2021. Last season, the Bulldogs (11-1) advanced to the 6A quarterfinals before falling 20-14 to Cumberland Valley.
Wilson has an impressive history in the district playoffs, with a 44-24 all-time record and a 7-4 record in championship games.
“It’s exciting for the kids,” Wilson coach Doug Dahms said. “It’s exciting for the community. For me, I’ve been there many, many times, but this is their first chance playing for a district title. The community hasn’t had the opportunity for several years, so there’s a lot of excitement and it’s good to be back.”
The Bulldogs have won nine straight after a Week 3 35-31 loss to Nazareth. They have outscored opponents 56-23 in the 6A tournament. Wilson defeated seventh-seeded Cedar Crest 28-3 in the quarterfinal round and third-seeded Central York 28-20 in the semifinal round.
Last week against the Panthers, the Bulldogs used strong defense to limit Central York to just three second half points.
Senior quarterback Madyx Gruber was 13-for-24 passing for 172 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Sophomore tight end Mike Glover, who is listed at 6-3 and 225 pounds, had five catches for 117 yards and two touchdown receptions.
Overall on the season, Gruber is 135-for-208 passing with 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions as well as 1,885 passing yards. Glover leads the team in receiving with 648 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions.
Junior Correll Akings leads Wilson’s ground game with 1,060 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while Gruber has 715 rushing yards and eight touchdown runs.
The Bulldogs dynamic offense that can win on the ground and through the air will need to be firing on all cylinders against a Harrisburg team that has outscored its opponents 77-20 in the district playoffs this year.
The Cougars defeated fifth-seeded Dallastown 42-6 in the quarterfinal round before upsetting top-seeded Manheim Township 35-14 in the semifinal round.
For Harrisburg, junior quarterback Jaiyon Lewis has completed 105-for-170 for 1,646 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and fellow junior Elias Coke leads the team in receiving with 42 receptions for 723 yards and eight touchdowns.
On the ground, senior Messiah Mickens has rushed for 1,091 yards and 17 touchdowns.
A strong Wilson defense that has allowed an average of just 12.9 points per game features several leaders who have put up key numbers this season. Gruber leads the team in the secondary with five of the team’s 14 interceptions.
Sophomore linebacker EJ Brownback has 55 solo tackles and a team-leading 16.5 tackles for losses as well as four sacks, senior linebacker Christo Hunsicker has 47 solo tackles, 11 tackles for losses and four sacks, and senior defensive end Cam Zullinger has 21 solo tackles with 14 for losses as well as one fumble recovery.
Overall, the Bulldogs have forced 25 fumbles and recovered 12, with junior defensive lineman Rahmel Gaston leading with three fumble recoveries.
“I think our kids are playing with confidence,” Dahms said, “We have to come out and be really intense and understand that in a game of this caliber, they’re gonna score some points. You just have to be able to answer.
“We’ll be pretty balanced (on offense). They’re pretty athletic and physical up front, hopefully we can run the ball, and I think we will be able to throw the ball if we can give Madyx some time.”
