Joy and pain in Harris' finale

AL DIAZ / MIAMI HERALD STAFF Northwestern quarterback Jacory Harris (12) walks off the field on crutches after the awards ceremony following the Bulls' 41-0 victory over Orlando Boone to win the Class 6A state championship game, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. High school teams bring back winning feeling Bulls capture second straight state title

It ended the way he always dreamed it would. Well, almost.

Jacory Harris quarterbacked Northwestern to a history-making night Saturday at the Citrus Bowl. But when he went to accept his Class 6A state championship medal, the leader of the Bulls' national championship winning football team wasn't able to stand on both of his legs.

Harris was limping, holding onto a pair of crutches in his right hand and seeking a lift from principal Charles Hankerson to get up on stage.

The most prolific passer in Miami-Dade history and possibly the starting quarterback at the University of Miami next season said he injured his left knee with 11:41 to play in the Bulls' 41-0 romp against Orlando Boone -- the largest shutout in state championship history.

''I did what I had to do and my team stood behind me,'' said Harris, who was first hit by a Boone defensive lineman before a group of lineman from both teams piled up on top of him on the play. ``They were 100 percent behind me even with my injury. It's a good way to end my high school career.

``I was scrambling out of the pocket and when I tried to cut back someone hit my left leg and it basically twisted inside. The doctors basically said I probably tore my meniscus. [The doctor] just said it's real loose and I need to have an MRI on Monday. ``I'm not disappointed, because we won the game. But I am disappointed I didn't get to finish my game.''

Harris didn't have his best night as a passer. Northwestern's defense and special teams carried the Bulls on Saturday night, shutting down Boone's offense, creating two fumbles, blocking a punt and returning another for a score.

But Harris certainly wasn't bad.

He finished 17 of 32 passing for 281 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and led the Bulls in rushing with 51 yards on five carries. His 31-yard pass to Tommy Streeter put Northwestern ahead 6-0 with 8:21 to play. His last TD pass to Kendal Thompkins, a 25-yarder on the opening drive of the second half, made the score 28-0.

But after he was hurt, there wasn't much even his best friends -- defensive tackle Marcus Forston, Sean Spence or receiver Aldarius Johnson -- could do to lift his spirits. Harris sat on the Bulls' bench with his leg wrapped in ice as the final seconds ticked away.

''I told him to keep his head up and not worry,'' said Bulls linebacker Sean Spence, who is expected to enroll early at UM along with Harris. ``He's going to be fine.''

Harris can feel good about this -- no quarterback in Dade history has had a better run as a starting quarterback than him. His career numbers as a two-year starter include a 30-0 record, 6,365 passing yards, 86 touchdowns and 416 completions. His 49 touchdown passes as a senior rank second on the all-time single-season list in state history behind -- one ahead of future UM teammate Robert Marve and two behind current Tampa Plant junior Aaron Murray.