Huge Game For DL Brigham Harwell

The Home Depot Center in Carson (Calif.) was home to a triple-header on Saturday with three CIF Championship games taking center stage. Although several players stepped up with solid performances, most in attendance would agree that the star of stars on this day was Hacienda Hts (Calif.) Los Altos defensive lineman Brigham Harwell.

Harwell, 6-1, 250 pounds took over the game in the second half for Los Altos as the Conquerors won one of the most exciting high school games you’ll ever seen 21-17 over Orange Lutheran. Both teams came in un-defeated and battled back and forth all night. Harwell, double and even triple teamed most of the night, couldn’t be blocked and finished the game with 13 tackles, three and half sacks and one caused fumble.

Harwell also knocked Lancer starting quarterback Seth Blackamore out of the game midway through the fourth quarter on a huge hit just as Blackamore released the ball.

“He was in our backfield the whole game, we couldn’t stop him,” Blackamore said. “He’s just a great player, there’s not much more I can say.”

Harwell showed all the moves Saturday. One play he would bull rush his way in to the backfield, the next he would explode off the edge beating his man around the corner and when double teamed, he would spilt the two players to get in to the backfield. Even when Orange Lutheran ran away from him, Harwell often would chase down the play from behind.

“I just didn’t want to lose,” Harwell said. “This was my last high school game and I didn’t want to lose. We played so hard, that’s a great team over there but I’m just so excited right now, this is one of the best feeling I’ve ever had.”

When asked where he was going to college, Harwell smiled and said, “It’s still UCLA for now. “I’m taking my visit the weekend they play Arizona in basketball (Jan 17). Arizona State is still in it but I’m pretty sure I’m going to UCLA.”