Weir ball carrier Zotique Douglas (22) runs into the Herbert Hoover defensive trio of Blake Fisher (1), Talon Harrison (19) and Hayden Payne (12) during a high school football game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Weirton.
Herbert Hoover ball carrier Talon Harrison (19, bottom) gets buried under a trio of Elkins players after moving the ball forward for Hoover on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
Weir ball carrier Zotique Douglas (22) runs into the Herbert Hoover defensive trio of Blake Fisher (1), Talon Harrison (19) and Hayden Payne (12) during a high school football game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Weirton.
DAVID MALCOLM | For the Gazette-Mail
Herbert Hoover ball carrier Talon Harrison (19, bottom) gets buried under a trio of Elkins players after moving the ball forward for Hoover on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
A week together in Institute has turned former rivals and opponents into teammates among the players there preparing for the North-South football game.
Talon Harrison of Herbert Hoover certainly has made new friends out of the onetime rivals who now join him in the West Virginia State University dormitories occupied by the South Cardinals as they work out and prepare for Saturday’s North-South Football Classic, a noon kickoff at South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä High School.
Harrison has made friends among players from Scott and Oak Hill, he said. All were rivals with his Huskies.
“The Scott linebackers,†Harrison said, “I’ve played against them and never really -- they've always been tough to play against. Now I get to play with them. I’m looking forward to that."
Linebacker David Fennessy, one of the Scott linebackers, joins Harrison, who played linebacker at Hoover. The two teams didn’t play last season during the Huskies’ run to the Class AAA state title game, but they did the year before in a game won by Scott.
Oak Hill was one of the teams upended by coach Joey Fields’ Huskies on the way to a 13-1 record. The Red Devils lost to Hoover in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
"Sad we had to send them home," Harrison said of the Red Devils, "but we’ve gotten pretty close to those guys. I like those guys a lot.â€
Harrison also gets one last chance to play with friends who have been teammates for a while. Harrison said Saturday’s game against the North Bears will likely be the last time that he gets to take the field with longtime Hoover teammate Connor Facemire, who plays offensive and defensive line for South.
“It’s been a good process,†Harrison said of playing in the North-South game. “I’ve made a lot of friends here. Past opponents and friends here. Just excited to be here. Happy for the opportunity, so it’s been fun.â€
Harrison also appreciates working with new coaches, like Clay County coach Jason Nichols, who leads the South squad.
“He’s a guy who came down here with a reputation as a good defensive player,†Nichols said, “but he’s someone we know from experience that he’s always around the ball.â€
Harrison was the second-leading tackler for Hoover last season, recording 75 stops. He was first among the Huskies with 15 tackles for loss. The middle and outside linebacker also had two sacks.
Nichols has Harrison listed on the South roster as both a linebacker and defensive end.
In the fall, Harrison will play at Fairmont State, where he hopes to show off his offensive skills.
“I’m looking to play outside backer,†Harrison said. “Possibly a slot receiver.â€
For the rest of the week, however, Harrison is taking in all of the events of the North-South game with his new teammates and friends.
“All the guys are so good,†Harrison said. “Talent makes other talent better, so I’m here for that. I like the coaches. I’ve been used to coach Joey Fields, but these guys are really smart. I really like the coach -- coach Nichols -- we've gotten pretty close. I like the guys a lot.â€
Rick Elmore covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-5122 or relmore@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ElmoreSports on Twitter/X.
