The Cougars won the game with ball control, thanks to its time-consuming ground game, led by Harris. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound sophomore running back rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars advanced to the second round of the playoffs next weekend.

It marked the sixth time that Harris has topped the 100-yard mark in a game for the Cougars, who improved to 9-2 on the season. A steady drizzle through much of the night didn't appear to bother him. He was coming off a 244-yard performance in his last outing, a 49-21 win over West Chester Henderson that insured a share of the Ches-Mont League championship.

Norristown, which won the Suburban One League American Conference championship for its first outright title since 1957, fell to 9-2 with the loss.

After holding Norristown to four downs on the game's first series, it appeared the Cougars would get on the scoreboard early. But they were thwarted by an interception after marching from their own 1-yard line to the Norristown 46.

Once again, they held the Eagles, this time to minus-16 yards on four plays. East took over after a Norristown punt at its own 42. It took the Cougars 11 plays to score, with Harris carrying on all 11. He went the final seven yards with less than a minute gone in the second quarter.

On their next series, the Cougars drove to the Eagles' nine before losing the ball on downs. Norristown, with the aid of a pass interference penalty, moved to the East 43 just before the half ended. A fourth-down-and-23 pass from quarterback Shannon Mayer to brother Sheldon tied the game at 7-7.

Harris put East ahead for good with just over six minutes to go in the third quarter, going one yard to cap a 51-yard drive.

East shared the championship of the Ches-Mont League's National Division with Downingtown West and Avon Grove. Last season, they shared it with West, which handed them their only league loss this season, 26-14. East's only other loss was to Wilson of West Lawn, 40-35, on a late touchdown.

Upper Dublin dealt Norristown its only loss, 18-15, on Oct. 2, but the Eagles managed to take the American conference crown. The Eagles were marking their 100th anniversary of playing at Roosevelt Field this year.

Downingtown East 0 7 7 13 - 27

Norristown 0 7 0 7 - 14

DE: Harris 7 run (Mayes kick)

N: She. Mayer 43 pass from Sha. Mayer (Fox kick)

DE: Harris 1 run (Mayes kick)

DE: Harris 1 run (Mayes kick)

DE: Harris 1 run (kick failed)

N: Tibbs 5 run (Fox kick)

or dbeideman@phillynews.com.