JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
Former Garden Spot standout Mike Harris talks about his career at Shippensburg, and playing Millersville on Saturday
Mike Harris is a 2006 Garden Spot grad, and he’s quickly establishing himself as one of the top wide receivers in the PSAC.The former Spartans’ standout had a breakout sophomore season a year ago, when he caught 57 passes for 779 yards.
And he’s off to a quick start for the Red Raiders this season with 20 catches for 291 yards and four touchdowns grabs. He also returns punts for Ship, which is set to host Millersville in a PSAC East showdown this Saturday at 1 p.m.
Ship switched from the PSAC West to the PSAC East this season, and this will be the Red Raiders’ second game in the division.
In this audio Podcast interview, I chatted with Harris about his time at Ship, and about how he and the program are progressing. And we also chatted about Millersville, and what kind of a game to expect on Saturday.
You can listen to my interview with Harris by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.
You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
And please continue reading for my Millersville-Shippensburg preview capsule …
THE GAME: Millersville (0-1 PSAC East, 0-4 overall) @ Shippensburg (0-1 PSAC East, 1-3 overall), Saturday, 1 p.m., Seth Grove Stadium in Shippensburg.
ONLINE: Marauder Sports Broadcasting Network - www.millersville.edu/~athletic
THE SERIES: This is the 61st meeting between MU and Ship, and the Red Raiders lead the series 35-23-2. … First meeting was in 1916 (Ship won 16-0). … Ship beat MU 23-14 last year. … Ship has won the last four games in a row in the series.
NOTABLE: Yes, this is a PSAC East game. After spending the last 48 years in the PSAC West division, Ship has jumped ship (wow, that was brutal) and now competes in the PSAC East. So why the move? PSAC newcomers Gannon and Mercyhurst joined the West, so Ship shifted to the East.
THE COACHES: MU’s Greg Colby is in his first season with the Marauders. … Ship’s Rocky Rees is the seventh-most winningest coach in the history of the PSAC, and only six coaches have led a Division 2 program onto the field more than Rees.
ABOUT MILLERSVILLE: The Marauders surrendered 453 rushing yards (and 633 total yards) in their 41-10 loss to West Chester last Saturday in their PSAC East opener. … MU is 0-4 for the first time since 2002, when that team opened up 0-6. … QB Jamal Smith switched to WR vs. West Chester, and he caught six passes for 131 yards and a TD from Bill Shirk – an 80-yarder. … MU is the least penalized team in the PSAC, with just nine yellow hankies.
ABOUT SHIPPENSBURG: Coming off a gut-wrenching 44-41 OT loss to East Stroudsburg last Saturday – Red Raiders led 21-7 at the half but couldn’t hang on. It was Ship’s second home loss this season. … Lone win this season was against Lock Haven (36-0). … O is averaging just 13 points at home; but 38.5 points on the road. … Junior QB Chad DiFebbo is 45-of-108 passes and is averaging 152 passing yards per game. He’s thrown six TDs and has been picked off just two times. … DB Jason Stone is fourth in the PSAC in tackles (38) and LB Josh Oswalt is fourth in the PSAC in tackles for loss (6). … Ship leads the PSAC with 34 total tackles for loss.
L-L LEAGUE CONNECTION: Former Columbia standout Travis Proctor, a starting DB for Ship, leads the PSAC with seven pass breakups. … Other L-L League alums on Ship’s roster include Garden Spot grads Joel Petersheim (junior LB) and Brian Heitz (redshirt freshman DE), former Hempfield standout OL Steve Hohenwarter (redshirt freshman), former Columbia standout Brian Groff (freshman OL), who transferred from Penn State, and reigning L-L League Player of the Year Justin Taylor from L-S (freshman running back).
THE PICK: Sorry, but I just can’t pick Millersville yet. The Marauders are working through some things (particularly the QB spot) and they’re still trying to learn what Colby is preaching on the fly. So take Ship, 28-14.
