Southwest Elite 7-on-7

Harrison's run ends with title

SPRINGDALE -- Harrison turned the biggest upset of the Southwest Elite 7-on-7 Showcase into a championship run Saturday.

The Class 5A Goblins pulled off the shocker in the quarterfinals, knocking off previously unbeaten Fayetteville 32-27 in overtime to eliminate the Class 7A Bulldogs, who had outscored opponents 274-117 while opening the showcase 9-0.

"It was huge," Harrison receiver/cornerback Silas Huskey said of defeating Fayetteville. "Whenever you win a game you're not supposed to, you're running downhill then."

Harrison used that momentum to rally for a semifinal victory over Bixby, Okla., then scored 26 consecutive points to beat Heritage Hall of Oklahoma City 26-14 and claim the championship.

"I just want to say how proud I am of the kids, the way they responded," Harrison Coach Chad Harbison said. "The reason we play 7-on-7 all summer is to learn how to fight and overcome adversity."

The Goblins finished the two-day showcase 11-1 and avenged their only loss, a 21-10 loss to Heritage Hall in pool play Friday.

"Our kids felt like we made a few mistakes in that game that turned that game," Harbison said. "We had confidence going into that [rematch]."

Harrison, the only Arkansas team to advance to the semifinals, was led by senior quarterback Brock Humphrey and Huskey, who was named the tournament's MVP. Huskey caught a touchdown pass in the championship game and played a key role on a defense that came up with big stops in the Fayetteville and Bixby victories.

Fayetteville senior and Arkansas tight end commit C.J. O'Grady hauled in a 10-yard jump-ball touchdown on the first play of overtime, but Harrison intercepted the ensuing two-point conversion pass intended for him to clinch the victory.

"We were fortunate," Harbison said. "We played well. We got some breaks. They're a great team. We've played them several times [in 7-on-7], and we'll battle with them for a while but they'll always pull away.

"Our kids hung in there and kept fighting, and I was real proud of that."

Harrison scored 19 consecutive points to rally from a 10-0 deficit against Bixby, Okla., then came up with a defensive stop on the final drive to hold on for a 21-18 victory. Heritage Hall scored the first 27 points in a 33-16 blowout of Aurora Christian, Ill., in the other semifinal game.

Sports on 07/13/2014

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