Junior invasion

VILLE PLATTE -- Most players only get to enjoy a great season once in their high school career. But, on those rare occasions a player has the talent and skills to produce back-to- back award winning campaigns.
Such is the case for Sacred Heart Trojan JT Harper. The elusive junior running back not only has been named to the first team 5-1A All-District squad, but he now repeats as the Most Valuable Offensive player in all of Evangeline Parish. On top of being named to the All-District first team on offense, Harper was also named as a first team defensive back.
Last year, the quiet athlete rushed for 17 touchdowns in garnering top honors in the parish. This season, Harper collected 1,365 yards on 140 carries and crossed the goal line 20 times as a running back. Harper also showed his ability to catch the football, as he hauled in 23 pass receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
Individually, those stats seem to show that Harper has stayed the same steady player throughout the last two gridiron campaigns. However, Harper believes there was a big difference in his overall performance this year as compared to last year.
“I felt as if I matured more over the last two years,” stated Harper. “I think I was just bigger and stronger this season. Running the same offensive system has really helped. I have been able to gain a better understanding of the things we do on offense. That has really helped me grow as a player.”
Harper’s performance on the field of play helped guide his team to an overall record of 8-3 and a spot in the first round of the Division IV playoffs. Unfortunately, the Trojans were not able to get passed the Ouachita Christian Eagles at home in a 42-23 loss.
The goals set at the beginning of the season, a district championship and a win in the first round of the playoffs, were not reached by Sacred Heart. Because of that, Harper and the rest of the seniors will have a hole to fill that will guide them throughout the entire offseason.
“We really worked all last off season to get that district championship trophy and it hurt when we did not get it,” said Harper. “But, we have a big senior class this coming year that have been playing together for the last three years and I know all of us will work as hard as we can to make that goal a reality next year.”
“We had a tough district, but we know Catholic of Pointe Coupee and Opelousas Catholic are losing a lot, so I think next year is our year if we are going to win district,” he continued. “I know we will be ready when the time comes.”
With such a great year, you would think that every game Harper played in was a great experience. But, the reserved ball carrier does have his best moment and his worst moment of the season.
“I guess the Opelousas Catholic game is the most disappointing game of the year for me,” commented Harper. “It was 7-7 at half time and we just know that we had that game won. But, we came out in the second half and wound up losing it.”
“The best game, for me personally, was the Westminster game,” Harper continued. “Even though I only played sparingly in that game, I felt I ran the ball hard. I was making people miss and I could tell I was in a zone. That game told me I was ready for the playoffs the next week.”
Going into his senior year, Harper knows that time is running out on his high school career. And, because of that, Harper has specific goals that he and his team want to accomplish before that happens.
“We definitely want to win a district title and a playoff game,” said Harper. “In order for us to do that we are going to have to work harder in the weight room and take things more seriously. We have to want it and work harder than we did last year. I hope to show the younger players what it is like to lead a team and what it means to be a senior so they can carry that tradition on.”