Veterans' Desjuan Harris has big game in small frame

David Bruce has pretty much a stock line when discussing his top running back.

"He's about 5-7 and 160 pounds," the Veterans head coach says regularly. "And he runs like he's 6-2 and about 220."

There's a reason Desjuan Harris runs that way. His favorite running back is the sizable Derrick Henry of Alabama, who stands about 6-3 and 235 pounds.

Harris has the mindset of a Henry-type back in the body of an underclassman defensive back. And it works.

"They love to run the ball," Harris said of Henry and the Tide. "That's what I want to do."

Harris will be one of the key characters in the tussle between GHSA Region 2-AAAA co-leaders Veterans and Mary Persons on Friday at Herb St. John Stadium in Perry.

Harris' normal game is a full one, with an average of 26 carries and 149.7 yards. The spring remains in his step because he's sort of a ­linebacker playing running back.

"I don't like getting hit," he said. "I like, you know ..."

Taking a proactive role in the physicality?

"Yeah, basically."

His realization that it hurt a lot less when he was aggressive came during youth league play when he was 11 or 12 years old. It just sort of developed and is still going.

Bruce has also seen solid improvement.

"He looks quicker to me, he looks faster, his balance is a little better, his vision is better," Bruce said. "It's like he's just seeing it all better now."

In those 185 carries, Harris has just 29 negative yards.

A broken arm prevented Harris from cracking 1,000 yards last year, and he finished with 985. Of course, last year was forgettable for the Warhawks in most phases.

The leadership void in 2014 has been filled in 2015, a reason that Veterans survived its aggressive non-region schedule and is in the hunt for its second region title in three seasons.

"We all have our minds on the same concept," he said. "Ready to play."

The ability to put last year (3-8) and the 1-3 non-region start in the rearview mirror is why the Warhawks are contenders for more than just a playoff spot.

Veterans isn't doing much different than a year ago.

"They're just better," Mary Persons head coach Brian Nelson said. "They've got some confidence, and they're hot. That's dangerous."

The Bulldogs bring their own quality running game into the meeting, with Zach Harvey and Jaquavious Sims, who have teamed for 1.246 yards.

Veterans averages 43.9 carries per game to 46.3 for Mary Persons, so this is a typical 2-AAAA smashmouth matchup.

"They probably know what we're going to do, and we probably know what they're going to do," said Nelson, noting the effectiveness of quarterback Logan Byrd and experience of Veterans' offensive line. "It comes down to fundamentals and execution and not turning the ball over and getting some first downs."

The Warhawks have improved in all of those areas and have only lost two fumbles this season, and they will count on Harris to keep that number as is.

"He started playing as a sophomore," Bruce said. "All that experience is allowing him to be the best back he can be."

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Veterans' Desjuan Harris has big game in small frame ."