HARRISON — Harrison High School’s football team is looking to fly high in 2024.
The Wildcats are coming off a 9-4 season that ended with a 50-36 loss to Anderson in a Division II, Region 8 semifinal and they return a large chunk of their roster this year, so optimism is in abundance.
“We have high expectations,” Harrison coach Derek Rehage said. “Seventeen of our 22 starters have started a high school football game at some point and 21 of the 22 are juniors and seniors. We’re experienced, we’re strong and we’re physical, and if we can get rolling, we’ll be a tough team to beat.
“Hopefully hard work will pay off for these boys. We’ve had a great offseason, a great preseason and a great camp. I think the Wildcats will be competing for a lot this year.”
The Wildcats won only their second Southwest Ohio Conference championship last season, rolling through their three SWOC opponents by a 144-19 margin.
Harrison has 91 players in grades 9-12 with 15 seniors, and Rehage said the whole team hit the weight room hard in the offseason.
“We’ve got good — not great — team speed, but this is the strongest team in program history,” Rehage said. “Our weight-room stuff has been off the charts.”
So what is the coach’s biggest concern?
“The mental fortitude to go 14, 15 games deep and handle all the bumps in the road along the way,” Rehage said. “I think playing the game will be the easy part for this team. I think it’s just the handling everything else. You’ve got to think we were a team that went from 1-9 to 9-4 last year, so we knew we had to bust our butts to be good. This year we’re supposed to be good, so how are we going to handle the expectations?
“Our program goals are to win the SWOC, beat East Central (Ind.), have a team GPA above 3.5, host a playoff game and win the region. If we can do all five of those things, it’ll be a great year.”
Senior quarterback Dickie Engel (6-1, 190) returns to direct the power spread offense. He threw for 1,857 yards and 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions in 2023 while running for 541 yards and six TDs.
“Dickie is the perfect fit for what we’re doing offensively,” Rehage said. “He can run the ball well enough. He throws the ball wonderfully. He’s got great command of the system. When he’s on, he’s one of the best we’ve had here in a long time.”
Also returning are the Wildcats’ top two rushers from last season — senior Cole Koops (5-11, 210) and junior Preston Flick (5-10, 180), Koops rushed for 1,379 yards and 18 scores last year, while Flick totaled 564 yards and seven TDs on the ground.
Rehage said Koops should lead the ground attack again this season in the tailback position. The HHS coach described Flick as “an H-back and running back and Mr. Gadget. We’re going to do everything with him.”
Harrison did lose its top three receivers to graduation. Junior Cooper Rotert (5-10, 175) got some experience last season and junior Josh Adelsperger (5-10, 180) has transferred in from Moeller to top the receiving corps, with sophomore Kyle Davidson (5-10, 155) also in the mix. Senior Jack Piepmeier (6-2, 210) is the tight end.
The offensive line has two returning starters in senior tackle Travis Raines (6-3, 285) and senior center Logan Bryant (6-3, 285). They’ll be joined by senior tackle Tyrique Mueller (6-0, 245), junior guard Zeb Warrington (5-8, 220) and junior guard Colby Quinlan (6-4, 290).
“I feel very good about the offense,” Rehage said. “We can bounce around enough that we hope to give teams some fits with whatever we do this year.”
Harrison will use a base 4-3 defense, but the Wildcats could be jumping back and forth between four- and three-man fronts.
Rehage said the defensive line could be the strongest part of the team and will be led by junior end Grant Dallio (5-11, 200) and junior tackle Logan White (5-10, 235). Senior Scott Blair (6-0, 300) is the nose guard, with juniors Jacob Dearwester (6-4, 250) and Brody Mumfrey (6-0, 200) rotating at an end position. Dearwester has moved over from the O-line.
“They are penetrating and in the backfield,” Rehage said. “It’s a very strong line that’s very explosive. All of them bench over 225. All of them squat over 400. We’re going to go after people.”
The linebacking row is deep in experience as well. Senior Ian Wuest (5-10, 175) is the Sam linebacker, senior Jayden Little (5-9, 170) is the Will and junior Danden Schlake (5-10, 200) is the Mike — Schlake was an H-back last year and mostly a blocker. Senior James Dalhover (5-10, 185) can play anywhere in a backup role.
Senior cornerback Cohen Hering (5-10, 170) and senior free safety Hank Rotert (5-11, 160) return in the secondary. Newcomers are junior strong safety Brycen Deller (5-7, 165) and sophomore cornerback Ben Markarian (6-0, 155).
“Markarian moved over from wide receiver a couple weeks ago,” Rehage said. “He’s our only sophomore starter, but he’s a freak in the weight room. He’s fast and can jump over 30 inches.”
Senior Landen Anderson (6-0, 145) is back to do the place-kicking. Raines will step into the punting role, with Dallio handling the snapping.
Rehage said going 1-9 in 2022 was difficult for this year’s seniors, but they learned many lessons from the experience. Now the program is back on the rise.
“We started nine sophomores that year and all nine of those sophomores are getting ready to start this year,” Rehage said. “They took their growing pains. We were in a lot of games. We just didn’t know how to finish those games.
“Our program is in very good shape. The freshman class hasn’t lost a game in junior high football in two years. Our freshmen last year are now sophomores and were 9-1. Our juniors were 8-2. So we feel really good about what we have coming. People are moving into this community because we have brand-new schools and our facilities are tremendous. We’re getting an influx of good, quality kids that want to be here.”
HARRISON WILDCATS FACTS
Head Coach: Derek Rehage, eighth season (43-35)
Assistant Coaches: Drew Banks, Joe Conley, Andy Dalton, Kyle Funk, Sam Heimkreiter, Steve Kucera, Lucas Parks, Danny Rehage, Adam Roether, Nick Roth
Offensive Coordinator: Derek Rehage
Defensive Coordinator: Andy Dalton
Special Teams Coordinator: Drew Banks
2023 Record: 9-4 overall, 3-0 SWOC (first place)
OHSAA Designation: Division II, Region 8
Playoff History: 9-15 record in 15 appearances (1987, 1988, 1989, 1997, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
2024 SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
FRIDAY, AUG. 23
Matchup: Loveland Tigers at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 15-6
First Meeting: 1947, Loveland 14-0
Last Meeting: 2011, Harrison 20-3
Highest-Scoring Game: 2009, Harrison 41-34 (3OT)
Lowest-Scoring Game: 2003, Loveland 7-0
Notable: Harrison has won five of the last seven meetings … The Wildcats are 5-5 in season openers over the last decade.
WEEK 2
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Matchup: East Central (Ind.) Trojans at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 23-22-1
First Meeting: 1973, Harrison 54-0
Last Meeting: 2023, East Central 42-7
Highest-Scoring Game: 2000, Harrison 34-33
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1982, 0-0 tie
Notable: East Central has a five-game winning streak in the series and has outscored Harrison 184-38 during that span.
WEEK 3
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
Matchup: Indian Hill Braves at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 2-1
First Meeting: 1955, Indian Hill 13-6
Last Meeting: 2023, Harrison 35-17
Highest-Scoring Game: 1956, Harrison 53-6
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1955, Indian Hill 13-6
Notable: Harrison rushed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s win over Indian Hill.
WEEK 4
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
Matchup: Harrison Wildcats at Western Hills Mustangs, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 2-0
First Meeting: 2022, Harrison 35-24
Last Meeting: 2023, Harrison 42-0
Notable: Western Hills hasn’t had a winning season since going 5-3 in 2020.
WEEK 5
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20
Matchup: Harrison Wildcats at Clinton-Massie Falcons, 7 p.m.
Series: Clinton-Massie leads 3-0
First Meeting: 2021, Clinton-Massie 42-10
Last Meeting: 2023, Clinton-Massie 21-14
Highest-Scoring Game: 2021, Clinton-Massie 42-10
Lowest-Scoring Game: 2023, Clinton-Massie 21-14
Notable: Clinton-Massie hasn’t had a losing season since going 2-8 in 2001.
WEEK 6
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
Matchup: Harrison Wildcats at Campbell County (Ky.) Fighting Camels, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 1-0
First Meeting: 2023, Harrison 33-7
Notable: Harrison is now 2-3 against Kentucky opponents. The Wildcats are 1-3 against Boone County, losing in 1985, 1986 and 1987 while winning in 1988.
WEEK 7
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
Matchup: Mount Healthy Owls at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 19-8
First Meeting: 1947, Mount Healthy 26-6
Last Meeting: 2023, Harrison 42-6
Highest-Scoring Game: 2016, Harrison 49-48
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1966, Harrison 18-0
Notable: Harrison has been victorious in seven of the last eight matchups.
WEEK 8
FRIDAY, OCT. 11
Matchup: Talawanda Brave at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 18-3
First Meeting: 1980, Harrison 15-6
Last Meeting: 2023, Harrison 47-13
Highest-Scoring Game: 2014, Harrison 45-39
Lowest-Scoring Games: 1980, Harrison 15-6; 1995, Talawanda 14-7
Notable: This will be Harrison’s homecoming … The teams have split their last four meetings.
WEEK 9
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Matchup: Harrison Wildcats vs. Columbus Watterson Eagles at Ohio Dominican University, 7 p.m.
Series: Watterson leads 2-1
First Meeting: 1987, Watterson 31-27
Last Meeting: 2023, Watterson 48-13
Highest-Scoring Game: 2023, Watterson 48-13
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1988, Harrison 27-11
Notable: Watterson finished 14-2 last season and lost to Toledo Central Catholic 27-7 in the Division III state championshp game.
WEEK 10
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
Matchup: Northwest Knights at Harrison Wildcats, 7 p.m.
Series: Harrison leads 24-9
First Meeting: 1977, Northwest 13-0
Last Meeting: 2023, Harrison 55-0
Highest-Scoring Game: 2000, Harrison 55-47
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1977, Northwest 13-0
Notable: Harrison has won six of the last seven meetings.
2023 REGULAR SEASON
Friday, Aug. 18 — Harrison 37, Taylor 8
Friday, Aug. 25 — East Central (Ind.) 42, Harrison 7
Friday, Sept. 1 — Harrison 35, Indian Hill 17
Friday, Sept. 8 — Harrison 42, Western Hills 0
Friday, Sept. 15 — Clinton-Massie 21, Harrison 14
Friday, Sept. 22 — Harrison 33, Campbell County (Ky.) 7
Friday, Sept. 29 — Harrison 42, Mount Healthy 6
Friday, Oct. 6 — Harrison 47, Talawanda 13
Friday, Oct. 13 — Columbus Watterson 48, Harrison 13
Friday, Oct. 20 — Harrison 55, Northwest 0
2023 DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
Friday, Oct. 27 — Harrison 51, Sidney 6
Friday, Nov. 3 — Harrison 20, Clayton Northmont 17
Friday, Nov. 10 — Anderson 50, Harrison 36
