Nathanson Helps Carry Harrison Football To Win

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. – Once Harrison High School started going to fullback Kevin Nathanson in the second half, the offense found the impetus it needed to get moving.

The senior, who had two carries in the first half, began ripping off powerful runs that fueled a second-half comeback that will rank among the finest in Harrison football history.

The Huskies scored four unanswered touchdowns, rallying to a stunning 35-34 victory over John Jay-Cross River in a Section 1 Class A football game Friday.

Nathanson’s 13-yard rumble with 2:44 remaining evened the score at 34-34, and kicker Sebastian Pellejero tacked on the extra point for the win. Nathanson had 10 carries for 105 yards in the second half and finished the game with 12 carries for 111 yards.

His game-winning score was an outstanding individual effort. After taking the handoff from quarterback Vinnie Nicita, Nathanson busted a tackle at the line of scrimmage, cut back and ran through another would-be tackler at the 5-yard line before reaching the end zone.

“It was great to be able to play well and be a part of this team and help it win,” said a very humble Nathanson. “When I got the ball, I just wanted to keep going forward. I received some great blocks and I was going to keep going until I got to the end zone.”

Once Nathanson hit the end zone, he was immediately mobbed by his teammates.

“No words can describe how I was feeling,” said Nathanson of his touchdown.

Nicita said the coaches made some offensive adjustments for the second half. One of them was getting Nathanson involved in the offense.

“We were just running a simple dive with Kevin and it kept working,” said Nicita, who completed 10 of 17 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

One of Nathanson's most outstanding moments came on a 35-yard run in the second half that put Harrison at the John Jay 39-yard line. He ran left, cut back to the middle of the field, extricated himself from a tackle at midfield and kept going before being pulled down from behind.

 

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