Sports

Harris back in mix for the ’Cats

• The return of former Albany State star James Harris from knee surgery brings veteran leadership and playmaking to the Wildcats defense.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY — In James Harris’ first game back from knee surgery on Saturday, coach Derek Stingley hoped to ease the three-year veteran into game conditions.

 But as the eventual 65-51 loss to Tennessee Valley played out, Stingley couldn’t help but fall into the habit of leaning on his old, reliable defensive playmaker in crucial situations.

“That was tiring,” said Harris, who grabbed two tackles and one hurry of the quarterback. “They just threw me in the fire. I got in a lot more than I thought I was going to get in.”

That’s because — when attempting to pull out a win for the South Georgia Wildcats over recent years — it has become standard fallback procedure to call upon Harris.

The former Albany State standout is now in his third season with the team. As faces have blurred in and out of the Civic Center locker room, Harris has stayed in clear focus. He is the only member of the team’s active roster still remaining from the 2006 season under former coach Donnie Davis.

He finished that year third on the team in tackles and first in tackles for loss.

When Stingley took over the 3-13 squad last season, there was little he desired to keep.

“There were only about three players and he was the main one we wanted back,” he said. “That was just from knowing what kind of athlete he was on the field.”

The move paid off.

Harris led the revamped Wildcats in tackles for loss with 11.5 and added four sacks. He finished fourth on the team in total tackles.

His numbers came amid transition. He was forced to play both linebacker and defensive end in dealing with injuries to rush end Joe Woolridge. He also played some at fullback, rushing for a touchdown.

 “His motor is constant,” Stingley said. “He is a great athlete on both sides of the ball. Pound for pound he may be one of the best players on our team.”

Opportunities existed for Harris to leave the Wildcats before this season, but doing so didn’t make sense.

Harris may hail from Thomson, but says he feels a comfort level here. He even stays close with his alma mater — you can find him before practices working out at the ASU facilities.

Plus, playing for Stingley excited Harris after a year under Davis.

“The whole atmosphere is different,” Harris said. “The coaching styles, there is more structure than it was in the first year. (Donnie) was all over the place with it. He had no control.”

Harris holds a valuable ability to understand the big picture unlike any other player with the franchise. And that adds to the already long list of reasons Stingley values the 6-foot-1, 260-pounder.

“Getting to know him as a person and knowing how he affects the people in the community and how he was at Albany State, he was the type of character guy I knew I needed,” Stingley said. “I am glad he is on my team.”

Of course, that’s also because Stingley felt what it was like to live without him over the last four games.

Harris endured a slight tear in his meniscus one week before the season.

He played in the opening week victory against Tennessee Valley and told Stingley he would play with pain until reserves were brought in to fill a thin position.

Once Joe Woolridge returned from the AFL and Ray Gant was acquired via trade, Harris went ahead and had his knee scoped.

“I could have played through it,” Harris said. “Coach didn’t want it to get worse than it was.”

Harris says he feels great and practiced every day last week before being activated off injured reserve Friday.

Though the line held its own in his absence, Stingley knows his addition adds another exciting element to his attack.

“James will be a fixture,” Stingley said. “I am grateful to have him back. He makes my defense so much better now.”

Harris played at both linebacker and defensive end Saturday. With Woolridge, Gant and Young settled in on the front and Derrick Lloyd entrenched at linebacker, the plan is to plug Harris into whatever spot is open from possession to possession.

“We are going to play him as needed,” Stingley said, “but he will be out there every defensive snap.”

Stingley knows that won’t be easy, but vows to find a way.

“Yes, indeed,” he said. “I have to.”

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