Cael Harris figured he’d have to be patient.
After playing on the lower levels in his first two seasons at Warren, Harris was promoted to the varsity team for his junior season earlier this year.
But the Blue Devils were loaded with veterans, including college-bound players, and would have been contenders for the Class 4A state championship if the Illinois High School Association hadn’t ruled out playoffs for a season that was long delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Just a few minutes into the season opener against Grayslake Central, however, Harris got the call to take over one of the spots on the back line after Edward Luna suffered an injury.
“I got lucky in a way, but you never want a teammate to get injured,” Harris said. “If that didn’t happen, I don’t know how my season would’ve went. I probably wouldn’t have had much of a chance if Edward didn’t get hurt.
“But it felt amazing to get an opportunity to showcase what I can do. I thought I played one of the best performances in a long time. I think I deserved the starting spot. Our next game, I saw coach (Jason Ahonen) put my name in the starting lineup.”
Ahonen has written “Cael Harris” in his starting lineup for every game since then.
In the spring season, Warren won all 15 games and defeated Stevenson in the North Suburban Conference Tournament championship game. Buoyed by a strong back line, including Harris, the Blue Devils allowed just three goals until their 5-2 win against the Patriots in the finale.
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Saint Louis freshman midfielder Max Floriani, the 2020-21 Illinois Gatorade boys soccer player of the year, said Harris was instrumental to Warren’s success.
“Cael adapted quick to the team last year,” Floriani said. “He stepped into a big role as a center back and did his job. Cael has a great body frame for his position and uses his voice well to lead the guys in front of him. I’m expecting big things from him this season.”
One of only five returnees, Harris already has four goals and one assist — mainly on set pieces — to lead Warren (6-1).
Ahonen said he weighed several factors before putting Harris into the starting lineup.
“We didn’t have a normal offseason, and I didn’t get a chance to see Cael play with our returning players in a true competitive format,” Ahonen said. “By making Cael a starting center back, it also allowed us to move Chris Aldazaba to right back, which I felt improved our team in two different positions.
“Cael played well during those early games, being composed on the ball and winning balls in the air. He’s also very dangerous on set pieces with his head, which is always a good thing.”
Senior midfielder Alexis Medina, a second-year varsity player, has watched Harris make steady progress during their time at Warren. Medina said their close friendship helps on the field and that he has noticed a slight change in Harris this season.
“I’ve never seen him more hungry to bring the team success, and it shows by the stats he’s been putting up, especially playing as a center back and leading the team in goals,” Medina said.
A one-sport athlete, Harris said his strong passion for soccer dates back to when he starting playing the sport at “2 or 3 years old,” and he credits his parents for being supportive. He said he’s built a strong bond with his teammates.
“I just love everything about soccer, from the competitiveness to the excitement being around my teammates and the winning,” Harris said. “I love working with the guys. It’s been the best four years of my life.
“We had an incredible spring season. It was everything you would want in a season, a perfect season. We were so good. It was special having an important role on that team. I’m happy to be a leader on this team and try to help us win.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.