HARRISON, Ohio — There is something special about this Harrison High School football team this season.
The Wildcats love being coached, invest a significant effort at team lifts, and embrace a challenging regular-season schedule.
Those characteristics were all on display Friday night.
Harrison exhibited why it’s the top-rated Division II, Region 8 team Friday night with a 22-13 win over visiting Withrow.
Although Harrison trailed 13-7 at halftime, the Wildcats persevered in the fourth quarter.
Senior quarterback Brady Lawhon found senior Kyle Davidson for a 32-yard touchdown pass connection at the 8:09 mark of the fourth quarter. Senior kicker Michael Wiesemann Jr. added the extra point to give Harrison the 14-13 lead.
Later, Harrison senior Jack Denier caught the intended pass off the Withrow wide receiver's hands and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown. Lawhon found junior tight end Christian Roether for the two-point conversion. Lawhon found Roether for a 72-yard touchdown pass connection earlier in the first quarter.
Harrison coach Derek Rehage couldn't hide his enthusiasm with the Wildcats' rally after the game.
"It's just awesome," Rehage said. "The kids played with energy. We didn't play great in the first half. We had a touchdown called back. But, you know we executed and played really well in the second half."
Harrison (4-0) entered Friday rated No. 1 in Division II, Region 8, according to Joe Eitel. Withrow (3-2) was rated No. 10.
Friday’s game is part of a one-year agreement between the programs. It could very well be a preview of a postseason game in November.
Withrow junior Dion Clardy scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to help tie the game in the first quarter.
Later, junior quarterback Sa’Vion Davis found senior Tyshawn Johnson in the back of the end zone on fourth down for a 13-yard TD pass connection for Withrow. That gave the Tigers a 13-7 lead late in the second quarter.
"We just got to keep chopping wood," Withrow coach Anthony Berry said. "We just got to keep attacking the details. Making sure that when we're up on teams we got to make sure that we put them away. They fought all night. We were up the majority of the game. It came down to the last four or five minutes where they made a play and we didn't."
Harrison, an independent without a conference, plays at Ross on Sept. 18.
Withrow plays at McNicholas next week.
