They call themselves ”Little Show” and ”Rocket Man,” two fun-loving Harper football players who had a great time Thursday night.
Little Show is sophomore running back George Porter, 15, who scored on a 20-yard run and turned a screen pass into a 54-yard touchdown in the second half of Harper`s 46-30 victory over Calumet at Gately Stadium. Harper`s victory clinches a tie for the Public League Southwest title and secures a state playoff berth for the Cardinals (4-3, 4-0).
Rocket Man-Jonathan Leggett-teamed up with his good friend Alonzo Davis for some electric special-teams play when Harper could only manage 79 yards of offense in the first half. Trailing 8-6, Davis returned a punt 48 yards for a score. Harper sophomore quarterback Earbie Hill scored on a 4-yard run for a 22-8 lead, but Calumet (3-3, 1-3) came back with a 45-yard drive culminating with Antoine Barnes` second TD.
On the ensuing kickoff, Leggett raced 80 yards for the score.
”I watch tapes of Deion Sanders, Raghib Ismail and Desmond Howard,”
Leggett said. ”When I saw my opening, I went for it just like they do.”
Calumet quarterback Lee Buxton scored just before halftime to make it 30-22, but Porter helped the Cardinals pull away.
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”We`re going all the way,” Porter said in assessing their postseason chances. Thirteen of Harper`s 29 varsity players are freshmen or sophomores, including two freshmen starters and two sophomore starters.
”They just all developed early and show a lot of potential,” Leggett said. ”The young guys have a lot of dedication. They`re at practice every day and they want to be something someday.”