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July 11, 2007

The A.J. Harris all star diary

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


During the past three football seasons at Ocean City High School, A.J. Harris gained over 2,000 yards rushing and scored just under 200 points. He finished fifth in career yards and sixth in career scoring at OCHS.

Next month, Harris will report to Elon (NC) University to begin his college career - the Phoenix opens their season on Sept. 1 in Tampa against the University of South Florida.

Last month, Harris joined 15 other Cape-Atlantic League graduates in the Adam Taliaferro Football Classic at Rowan University, a chance for him to play with the players he had played against during his highly successful career at OCHS.

Harris kept a diary for The Gazette.


Monday June 25
I arrived at Rowan today for the Adam Taliaferro all-star game this week. The first day wasn't bad. We had two practices, each two hours long. We put in most of the offense and it is a lot to know. There's new terminology and new formations. All of the players are friendly and I've been hanging out with my roommate and two players from Absegami - Mark Schenauer and Steve Hevalow. I also met a running back from Moorestown by the name of Kim Harris. He says he's my black brother.
My feet are killing me and I'm exhausted, but the day was fun. The practices were just helmets and shoulder pads so it wasn't that strenuous. The dorm rooms are horrible. They're hot and have no lights. The bathrooms are an issue, too. There's one in the middle of two rooms. They say you have to be careful or else you can lock yourself in them. The weather wasn't bad. There were some clouds and a light breeze but the next few days are supposed to be hotter. I'm already looking forward to the game on Thursday.

Tuesday June 26
Today was the hardest day. Waking up at 6:30 and going through three practices. The temperature was in the 90's and we were in full pads for the afternoon session. I'm starting to get closer to some of the guys and open up a little more. I met the funniest person I've ever met in my life. He's a wide receiver from Bridgeton...Steve Fortune. He's a skinny little African-American kid with braces on his teeth. Everything he says makes people cry laughing.
In between practices there's not much to do. It's too hot to go outside so we mainly relax in our dorms. Even with a fan on, you're still covered in sweat. This week consists of eating, sleeping and football.

Wednesday June 27
Today was a lighter day but the temperature was still high. They said the temperature on the field was 130 degrees while we were practicing on it. There was a banquet held at night. All of the players were introduced, plus the refs, coaches and those who were being inducted into the South Jersey Football Hall of Fame. Of course, dinner was served.
Walking back from practice today, I was talking to Mark Schenauer. We were walking behind two players who were talking about partying. Mark asked if I drank. I said no. He said that he didn't either. We laughed because we both thought we were in the minority. He told me he was going to come to Ocean City so we can go to a party sober and just laugh at everyone. We have a lot in common.

Thursday June 28
Today is the big day. The tension between the two teams is like a stretched rubber band ready to snap. Practice was light and it's a little cooler from the thunderstorm last night. I woke up in the middle of the night to players from opposite teams screaming back and forth from their dorm windows. We just got our uniforms and we get to keep the jerseys. Naturally the colors are Penn State's colors. I got No. 32 (his OCHS number) so I was happy about that.
We had a pre-game meal, then checked out. I can't wait to get on the field for one last high school game. This week was fun. I met some guys who were good athletes. I've made some friends whom I will be hanging out with the rest of the summer and hope to stay in touch with. This was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

More than 5,000 fans showed up for the game, which actually turned out to be anti-climactic. Del Thomas of Clearview kicked a 21-yard field goal and A.J.'s team lost, 3-0. But, as he said in his diary, friends were made and the student-athletes experienced a perfect week to bring an end to their high school careers.


Read more of Tom Williams' columns