By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Harmony will limp into its season finale Friday at 7:30  p.m. at home against Melbourne Central Catholic for Senior Night.

At least those who can muster up a limp will participate.

A depleted and banged-up Longhorns team will try to deal the Hustlers (9-0), ranked No. 3 in the Class A state poll and the district A-4 champion, their first loss.

With many players injured, Harmony found mustering offense difficult in the sixth annual Soldier City Classic against St. Cloud and lost, 28-7. It was the fourth defeat in a row for the Longhorns (4-5, 2-3).

Quarterback Adam Harvey returned from a neck stinger, but with his backfield mates banged up as well, Harmony totaled just 167 yards of offense

“We don’t believe in excuses around here but I’ve never had a team this decimated by injuries,” HHS Coach Dayne Brown said. “Kids are fighting through it and kids are stepping up the best they can. My hat’s off to the effort they gave, the kids who were banged up wanted to be in there and be a part of this game that bad.”

With starting wingback Christian Acevedo re-injuring his shoulder early in the first quarter, Austin Ocasio stepped in and scored on a 2-yard run with 7:15 left in the game.

“Austin’s been a reliable player, and he’s made plays on both sides of the ball. Adam has played well when he’s been healthy, but some of the injuries we’ve had have limited what we’ve been able to do offensively,” Brown said. “St. Cloud started putting everybody in the box and we couldn’t make them pay.”

County tackles leader Alex Githens kept that spot with 18 tackles (12 solo) Friday. Brad Foulke added 14, including a pair of sacks, and Will Hastings forced a fumble that Daniel Foshee recovered in the second quarter.

“Our kids sucked it up on defense and played well for a while, but it seemed like they were out there the whole game,” Brown said.

MCC defeated Palm Bay Heritage, 48-0, last week. Junior quarterback Matt Erdman, who has 1,573 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, leads the team.