It's over at Z for Ross run game: How Zalen Harris helps Little Giants football finish

Of course, some people call Zalen Harris "Z."

It's also fitting when the Fremont Ross senior has the football in his hands. When he gets his legs going and breaks through the line, it's over.

A linebacker or safety is going to feel Harris in a collision, or Harris might just speed past defenders.

"Z is our guy," Little Giants coach Chad Long said. "He's our warrior, I like to refer to him. He weighs 165 pounds. He runs like he's 190. With hate in his heart. He's a great leader. There's a reason he's a captain. We get on his bus and he takes us where we need to go."

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Harris opened the scoring Friday with a touchdown from two yards out in a 21-14 victory over rival Sandusky.

"Everybody says I run hard," he said. "Coaches tell me to run hard, make stuff happen."

Z worked to help Ross finish the game nursing a one-score lead in the second half. He rushed to convert on third-and-1 with 4 minutes, 22 seconds left to play and again on third-and-3 near midfield with 2:20 remaining.

"We've got some big boys," he said of the line. "They've grown into their bodies. They'll give you a pancake or a first down."

Harris reminded lineman Kaden Mayle during a timeout what was necessary.

"Two or three seconds," Harris said. "Let's work. I knew we needed it and I know he can get the job done. I'm blessed with my offensive line. I told him. Two seconds. He heard me. Our communication is strong. Let's go eat."

Harris burst up the middle of the field for 38 yards on the next play. Along with power and speed, it's tough to bring down Harris' energy.

"I set the tone," he said. "I pick everybody's head up."

Harris was a linebacker as a sophomore and nickel back as a junior. He was behind his graduate cousin JD Moncrief at running back.

"Freshman year I sat behind four running backs," he said. "Sophomore it was two running backs. Ja'Darrius passed the torch. There's a new cowboy in town. Keep it running. It's time to eat."

The End.

mhorn@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Zalen Harris has energy, speed, power in same package for Ross