Harrisburg continued its winning tradition in the District 3 Class 6A playoffs as the fourth-seeded Cougars defeated second-seeded Wilson 42-14 at Reiffton on Saturday afternoon.

This is their 4th District 3, Class 6A football title in a row.

Coach Calvin Everett was right.

This isn’t the same Harrisburg Cougars assembly who opened the season with myriad questions and a lopsided defeat.

Fortunately, the same defense that helped lean the Cougars toward another District 3 football title showed up Saturday at Don Thomas Stadium.

Messiah Mickens scored twice and quarterback Jaiyon Lewis connected with Quincy Brannon and Elias Coke for touchdowns as Harrisburg slammed Wilson 42-14 to claim the program’s fourth consecutive 6A championship.

The Bulldogs trailed 21-0 midway through the second quarter and was allowed minimal yardage no matter down and distance throughout. Mickens, from his post on the edge, registered three of Harrisburg’s four sacks, keeping talented Bulldogs QB Madyx Gruber busy throughout.

And Wilson’s rushing attack? Doug Dahms’ troops carried 30 times for 37 yards.

The Cougars (11-2) will travel West to meet WPIAL champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the state semifinal round. A venue and time will be announced. The Vikings dispatched State College 41-19 Friday in Altoona.

Scoring:

First quarter

H-Messiah Mickens 7 run (Gideon Fasanya kick), 2:59

Second quarter

H-Mickens 4 run (Fasanya kick), 11:54

H-Nehemiah Ewell 52 run (Fasanya kick), 4:22

W-Madyx Gruber 1 run (kick failed), :14

Third quarter

H-Elias Coke 37 pass from Lewis (Fasanya kick), 8:12

H-D’Antae Sheffey 10 run (Fasanya kick), 6:42

H-Quincy Brannon 30 pass from Lewis (Fasanya kick), 3:59

Fourth quarter

W-Michael Glover 22 pass from Gruber (Monty Greer run), 10:56

Team statistics W H

First downs: 13 13

Rush-yards: 30-37 30-143

Passing: 130 168

Comp-Att-Int: 13-21-2 7-10-0

Fumbles-lost: 0-0 0-0

Punts-Avg.: 3-34.5 0-0

Penalties-yards: 6-62 3-22

Individual statistics

RUSHING: Wilson, Monty Greer 6-37, Correll Akings 10-24, Madyx Gruber 13-(minus-8), Team 1-(minus-16); Harrisburg, Nehemiah Ewell 1-52, D’Antae Sheffey 5-38, Messiah Mickens 8-34, Ja’auan Johnson 10-12, Jaiyon Lewis 4-7, Team 1-0.

PASSING: Wilson, Gruber 12-20-2—134, Christo Hunsicker 1-1-0—(minus-4); Harrisburg, Lewis 7-10-0—168, Mikal Shank Jr. 0-1-0—0.

RECEIVING: Wilson, Monty Greer 2-26, Christo Hunsicker 3-24, Correll Akings 3-27, Cam Zullinger 2-23, Michael Glover 1-22, Brady Kline 1-12, Ethan Harding, 1-(minus-4); Harrisburg, Elias Coke 3-111, Quincy Brannon 4-57.