Jhakari Harrison throws seven touchdown passes to lead Coconut Creek past Boyd Anderson

Ask Coconut Creek quarterback Jhakari Harrison how he ended up having one of the best games of his high school career Friday night, and he would tell you he got it done with more than a little help from his friends.

Harrison threw a career-best seven touchdown passes to four receivers in Coconut Creek’s 46-21 victory over visiting Boyd Anderson. He completed 13 of 26 passes for 250 yards.

“Everything just worked for us [Friday],” Harrison said of his offense. “From the offensive line to our receivers, they all helped us get this victory.”

After a late comeback fell short against Flanagan last week, Coconut Creek coach Kareem Reid liked what he saw from his senior quarterback Friday.

“It was a real good bounce-back game for him,” Reid said. “He showed resiliency, he hung in there in the pocket to make some great throws and brought us through.”

When the game began, it didn’t seem like Harrison was poised to have a stellar night. He completed just two of his first seven passes as the Cougars fell behind 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

But he got into a groove early in the second quarter, finding receiver Binjimen Victor wide open in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown pass.

With nine minutes to go in the second quarter, Harrison gave the Cougars (2-1) their first lead after running back Malek Young turned a short pass into a 22-yard score.

After Boyd Anderson (2-1) took the lead back with 4:27 remaining in the first half, Harrison connected with Victor again on the first play of the next drive to retake the lead — this time for good. He hit Victor in stride down the middle of the field for a 65-yard score to give the Cougars a 27-21 lead at the half.

Victor finished with just three catches but he made each of them count — they were all touchdowns. Young had two receiving touchdowns of his own in addition to gaining 86 yards rushing on 12 carries.

The Coconut Creek defense struggled early to contain a high-energy Boyd Anderson team that came out aggressive and confident after starting the season with two consecutive wins. The Cobras’ dominance over the Cougars in recent years also gave them an added boost coming into the contest.

But as the game wore on and Harrison continued to pick apart the Boyd Anderson secondary, the Coconut Creek defense also started to make plays.

They recovered two Cobras fumbles and junior defensive back Kobe Green intercepted a pass that bounced off the fingers of a receiver in the fourth quarter deep in Boyd Anderson territory, setting up Harrison’s final touchdown pass.

The Cougars defense blanked the Cobras in the second half as Boyd Anderson managed only two first downs after halftime.

“When you win the turnover battle, you typically win the game, and that was huge for us,” Reid said.

This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 12:19 AM with the headline "Jhakari Harrison throws seven touchdown passes to lead Coconut Creek past Boyd Anderson."