‘I was just excited to get back’: Harrisburg coach Cal Everett returns to sidelines after suspension

After walking away from their team’s post-game breakdown following Harrisburg’s 44-15 blowout win over Carlisle on Friday night, a handful of Cougars players made sure to yell out one more thing.

“Welcome back Coach Cal!”

There was an extra bit of energy pulsing through Harrisburg’s team on the evening, as the defending District 3 6A champions saw head coach Cal Everett return to the sidelines after serving a three-game suspension resulting from a summary offense citation this offseason.

“Absolutely [I was excited to get back],” Everett said. “I’ve just been being patient, waiting to get back. Just enjoy the family, the football family, and do what I love to do.”

While Everett hasn’t been able to coach any of Harrisburg’s first three games this season — it actually ended up being just two as its opener against St. Vincent Pallotti was canceled due to lightning—he has still been serving as the school’s athletic director since the beginning of the season.

Everett pleaded guilty to a civil penalty in early August for helping his brother sell used cars without a license and paid a fine and court costs totaling $1,059.25. Assistant Shawn Lee served as acting head coach in his absence.

It was a strong return on the field for the coach, who has been one of the most successful in the state since 2011, as his team led wire-to-wire all evening in its Mid-Penn Commonwealth division opener.

“I was just excited to get back,” Everett said. “I’m sure they were excited for me to come back.”

His players echoed that, with star defensive end Terrell Reynolds, who tallied four sacks in the contest, saying the return boosted the team all week in practice and in the game.

“It’s good to have him back,” Reynolds said. “He’s a great coach, a great coach to be around. It felt great to have him back.”

As for Everett, he said he tried not to dwell on watching the first couple of games from afar.

“[I’ve just] taken everything with a grain of salt,” Everett said. “I can only control the controllable.”