Matt Bauer wanted to challenge his Exeter football team right up front this season so he added District 3 powerhouse Central Dauphin as the second scrimmage.

"He's on a whole other level," Bauer said after the meeting. "I'm used to seeing that (kind of player) having had Michal (Menet) for four years. It's different being on the other end of stick."

Eleven weeks later the fourth-seeded Eagles (8-2) are facing the pointed end of that stick again as Parsons - now playing with Harrisburg - will line up against them tonight in a District 3 Class 5A quarterfinal at Don Thomas Stadium (WEEU/830-AM, 6:40 air).

"We did OK when we scrimmaged him," Bauer said. "We're more seasoned now, (and) it's a little different situation. The kids are excited about the challenge."

They'll get one against the fifth-seeded Cougars (7-3), who were considered one of the teams to beat in 5A before adding Parsons and Zion Patterson, another college prospect, in a pair of late-season transfers that had the Commonwealth Division of the Mid-Penn Conference buzzing.

The 6-3, 235-pound Parsons, who committed to Penn State this year (but continues to entertain offers), abruptly left Central Dauphin shortly after midseason when he got entangled in a nasty social media exchange with schoolmates and was suspended by the school.

Next thing you know he's lining up at defensive end and carrying the rock for the Cougars. And making an immediate impact. He had a couple of sacks and set up a defensive touchdown in a 45-7 Week 9 win against Carlisle, then helped the Cougars upend 6A power Cumberland Valley 35-14 last week.

"Obviously with a guy like Micah Parsons, he's gonna make an immediate impact, and that's what he's doing in all phases of the game," said Cougars coach Calvin Everett. "He's absolutely making a huge impact.

"Same thing with Zion. He is making a huge impact on special teams and on defense. Both of those guys, they have made a huge impact."

That's not all the Cougars bring to Reiffton.

Their lineup also includes 6-3, 244-pound defensive end Damion Barber Jr., a Penn State commit; wide receiver Shaquan Anderson-Butts, who has offers from Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia and Syracuse, among others; and 6-3, 280-pound tackle Trevon Baltimore, who has an offer from Wake Forest.

It's no wonder Penn State coach James Franklin popped into practice just before the Ohio State game a few weeks back.

"They're impressive," Bauer said of the Cougars. "They're physical; they like to get after it; they're very aggressive."

For the rest of the article, please go to the Reading Eagle:  http://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/exeter-to-face-stiff-challenge-from-harrisburg?