Gridiron Blog
The Gridiron Blog brings you the scores, stats and stories from Fredericksburg-area high school football.
Player of the Week: Indians open their playbook for Harris
TALENTED SENIOR RUNS WILD AFTER STAFFORD INSTALLS WILDCAT OFFENSIVE FORMATION
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
A 1–4 start and paltry offensive numbers prompted Stafford High School football coach Chad Lewis to make a change.
Lewis decided to put standout wide receiver DaShawn “Dada” Harris in the Wildcat formation in Stafford’s contest against Riverbend last Friday. Harris responded with 198 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries in Stafford’s 33–16 Commonwealth District victory.
His effort earned him Free Lance–Star player of the week honors and has prompted Lewis to change his offensive philosophy midway through the season.
“I think we’ll keep that package,” Lewis said. “It’s something we’ve been toying with. We always go into games trying to get Dada the ball as much as possible. He’s a tremendous athlete. As a coach, you always have to find a way to get your best athletes the football.”
Harris (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) is also an all-Northwest Region basketball player for the Indians. But after a summer attending football camps, Lewis said, Harris’ college future could be on the gridiron.
Lewis said several Division I programs have inquired about Harris, who has been something of a late bloomer.
Lewis compared Harris’ situation to that of former Stafford standout Dexter McDougle, who was injured his junior season. McDougle had a breakthrough senior campaign, however, and was offered a scholarship to the University of Maryland, where he is now a starting cornerback as a junior.
“I’m not saying the same thing is going to happen to Dada,” Lewis said. “But I don’t think it’s unrealistic for him to play [Division I] college football.”
Lewis is certainly grateful he has figured out a new way to utilize Harris. The 33 points scored against Riverbend is more than the Indians tallied in their first three games combined (29).
But the newfound emphasis on Harris and the Wildcat formation will not phase out senior quarterback Billy Bolinsky.
Bolinsky rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries against the Bears. He also threw a 21-yard touchdown pass and delivered some key blocks for Harris.
Stafford will see if the strategy works again on Friday when it visits Albemarle.
“It’s a nice little wrinkle that worked out pretty well for us,” Lewis said. “Hopefully it will continue to work.”
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
tcoghill@freelancestar.com
- HONOREES
This season’s Free Lance–Star football players of the week:
Week 1: Javonte Latney, Massaponax RB
Week 2: Tyus White, Brooke Point WR
Week 3: Kwesie Dadzie, North Stafford RB
Week 4: Cody Goode, F’burg Christian LB
Week 5: Daeshawn Hamilton Mountain View WR
Week 6: Da’Shawn Harris, Stafford RB
