The Harrison Hoyas are undefeated through their first six games of the 2023 season. The last time they achieved this feat, the Hoyas won the state championship.
Granted, the situation and circumstances were vastly different then. Harrison last went undefeated in 2019, when the Hoyas beat top-ranked Dacula in the state semifinals en route to a Class 6A title victory over Allatoona.
Unfortunately, that marked the last season of success for the Hoyas. The following three seasons were characterized by underwhelming play on both sides of the ball. Matt Dickmann’s final season with Harrison featured just four wins, and that lack of triumph rolled over into the tenure of Josh Cassidy.
In Cassidy’s first season, Harrison won four games for the second year in a row and set a school record for most points allowed in a single season. The following season, despite a more favorable schedule – their 2021 slate had included seven ranked opponents – Harrison still only managed four wins.
Expectations were understandably low coming into the 2023 campaign. However, season-opening wins over South Paulding and South Forsyth brought glimpses of hope. That hope ballooned into confidence as Harrison posted wins over Paulding County, Denmark, and Kennesaw Mountain in the following weeks. Then, prior to their Week 7 bye, the Hoyas crushed Pebblebrook on the road.
With the same schedule last season, Harrison began the year with just one victory and five losses. Now, the Hoyas stand undefeated.
The growth of the Hoya defense has been astonishing. Just two seasons removed from allowing the most points in school history, Harrison’s defense has yet to give up more than 17 points to an opponent. They have held four opponents to one touchdown or less.
The credit begins with the front seven, who have racked up 38 tackles for loss in just half a season. Add 12 sacks to that stat line and the Hoyas defense appears to be one of 7A’s better units. Defensive lineman Collin Bellomy has been a revelation, with 10 TFLs and 4 sacks to his credit as a defensive end. So have linebackers Collin O’Hara, Liam Gray, and Ethan Sweat, each accounting for at least 6 TFLs and 25 tackles.
This stellar play up front has eased the pressure on the secondary, but standouts Jackson Connors (7 pass breakups), Jowell Combay (2 interceptions), and Quinton Charles (2 interceptions) have continued to step up in desperate times.
Even in games in which the offense has struggled to score points, the defense has held its own and posted late-game stands to secure victories, mostly due to the contributions of individual athletes performing as a total unit.
Region play begins this week for the Hoyas. Two wins were enough to secure a playoff berth last season, but the road may not be so clear-cut in 2023. With teams such as McEachern returning to full health and Marietta having been battle-tested, the Hoyas defense will be thrust into the spotlight for the rest of the season. Can Harrison remain undefeated?
