CHESTER — Daron Harris is Chester High’s big play wide receiver and defensive back. But he has a few other tricks up his sleeve.
What many of the Clippers’ opponents may not know about Harris is that he can sling the rock, too.
While he happily defers full-time passing duties to his twin brother, Jalen, who accumulated 2,261 yards and 35 touchdowns as a freshman last year, Daron doesn’t mind showcasing his arm strength every now and then.
When Daron went in motion in the first half of Chester’s 52-0 Del Val League triumph over Interboro Saturday, he knew it was his chance to shine. Daron received the hand off on a double reverse and reared back to throw a perfect strike to Emohj Barrett, who handled the rest. Barrett darted 79 yards to the house to extend the Clippers’ lead to 26-0 with five minutes to go before the break.
“I used to be a quarterback,” Daron said with a smile. “That’s what I used to do.”
The trickery was one of many highlights for the Clippers (3-1, 1-0), who earned their third consecutive victory and are beginning to resemble the team they were in a 10-2, Del Val title season last year.
“We wanted to come out fast and we wanted to get on them early,” Jalen Harris said. “It’s all about energy… and we’re all clicking as a team.”
Jalen Harris completed 7 of 10 passing attempts for 155 yards and three TDs. Daron Harris (three catches for 111 yards, including a 76-yarder) and Barrett (two catches for 106) had huge performances in the receiving game.
And the Clippers did it all without star linebacker/tight end and Connecticut recruit Dominic Toy, nursing a minor shoulder injury.
“It feels great,” Daron said of the victory. “We’re clicking on all cylinders right now.”
The defense was no slouch, either. The Clippers attacked Interboro at the line of scrimmage and did not relent, allowing a total of 63 yards, most of which came in junk time on the Bucs’ final possession. Interboro managed only 24 rushing yards on 34 carries. The Chester defense scored two TDs — a 47-yard fumble return by Wayne Clark and a pick-six by Quamere Cosby. Clark, a defensive end/linebacker, recorded five tackles and linebacker Jerell Palmer continued his season-long dominance with nine tackles.
Dayshon Jackson (72 yards on 11 carries) and Nahree Melvin added touchdown runs for the Clippers, who host West Chester East (2-2) next Saturday.
After being shut out by Perkiomen Valley on opening day, the Clippers outscored Cheltenham, Phoenixville and Interboro by a combined score of 108-43 the last three weeks.
“Obviously the first game against Perk Valley we came out flat and I was very disappointed about that game,” Chester coach Dennis Shaw said. “The emphasis ever since has been about coming out with a high level of intensity. The guys, they know there are very high expectations around here now and you can’t come out and put up a dud like that. The guys every single week are anxious to get back on the field and show, all right, that Perk Valley game happened but this is going to be the Chester that you’re going to see all year.”
The Bucs (1-3, 0-2) were blanked for the second consecutive week and have scored 28 points all season. Senior tight end/linebacker Pete Gentile played well on both sides of the ball. Nadir Ali made a nice catch along the sideline for 32 yards late in the fourth quarter.
