Harris, Lions inflict pain on Warhawks

Westerville Central might have thought it had seen the last of Justus Harris when he hobbled off the field after the first play of the third quarter.

Few athletes in any sport return from leg cramps to excel, but Harris did more than return. He dominated.

Harris, a 5-foot-9, 185pound junior, ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries to lead Gahanna to a 24-3 victory Friday night before a near-capacity crowd at Central’s Warhawk Field.

It is the second straight season the Lions have opened with a victory over the Warhawks.

“We knew Justus was that kind of running back — he is athletic, has great vision and is strong,’’ Gahanna coach Bruce Ward said. “He came back and finished the deal. That’s what we preach and that’s what we like.’’

Harris carried five times, including on a 4-yard touchdown run, during a seven-play drive that gave Gahanna a 17-3 lead with 8:01 left to play.

He was the focal point again in carrying five times on a 58-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown reception by Jerome Buckner on a pass from quarterback Mike Lowery with 2:26 remaining.

“I had the support of my coaches and team, and my mom gave me some pickle juice, and that really helped me come back and play,’’ Harris said. “I couldn’t have done anything without my line tonight. I saw the holes and ran through them. We’ve got a new offensive line coach (Kyle Stoudt), and he has been working hard with a young line.’’

The Lions came up with two interceptions, by Cameren Carlisle and Davion Bryan. Carlisle took his back 32 yards for a score, but a personal foul nullified the touchdown.

What finally got Gahanna into rhythm was its rugged running game.

“The key was that we saw we had them beaten in the first half, and what we had to do was come out and finish it,’’ said senior left tackle and captain Mason Helsel. “We definitely wore them down. We ran down their throat. We had to keep pounding at them. We had to go harder and finish blocks.’’

But Westerville Central scored first on a 31-yard field goal by Jacob Borcilla with four minutes left in the first quarter. The eight-play drive was set up when linebacker Ashton Gilkey stripped Lowery of the ball and Dontay Hunter recovered at the Lions’ 48.

Gahanna answered with a 30-yard field goal by Kobie Stillwell with 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

The Lions perked up when receiver David Miller briefly replaced Lowery at quarterback with 7:09 left in the half and led an 11-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that was capped by Harris’ 4-yard run to make it 10-3.

Had five receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Grandview.

Had six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 35-34 win over Highland.