Team growth comes ahead of personal ambition for second-year varsity football starter Harper Sherman.
South of the border, the 6-4, 250-pound lineman has coaches' heads spinning on the summer camp circuit and recently Sherman received an early offer from the University of Nevada.
"(Nevada) told me I was the first junior that they have ever offered to," said the 16-year-old Sherman. "I think they saw a hard-working, humble guy who had a lot of potential and versatility, as well."
New Westminster Hyacks varsity head coach Farhan Lalji said, it's bigger than that. He believes Sherman might be the first player from Western Canada to get a scholarship offer so early. Lalji is also certain that at least two Pac-12 schools will also entertain offers.
"He's that big," said Lalji. "He's really turned some heads. There's a lot of interest in him at the Division 1 level. He's a legit guy who started as a 10th grader."
But Sherman recognizes that success won't come without a price.
"I have that attitude - get it done and hurt. ... In my heart of hearts an inner voice told me if I wanted to be great, that's what I have to do," said Harper, who has also been working out with CFLers and Hyack Alumni Cody Husband, currently playing with Hamilton and former Toronto Argonuat Nasser Jamal.
"I think it comes from coaches and teammates. In the weight room, Jonathan Tumalti and I do extra sessions. We're driven by each other at every workout session and at our own sessions to get the extra advantage."
He remembers such a session when he was a junior and coach Lalji was counting out the final seconds during an ab circuit.
He collapsed before it was over, and Lalji later took him aside, stressing the need to develop mental toughness.
"It kind of stuck with me," Sherman said. "I've developed more character and toughness. It's life changing."
Hearing that will likely please Lalji, who added every young player with an upside has to first prove himself away from the game.
"And (Sherman) responded. He's put in the work and people will want to test him," he said.
"At 6-4 and 250, he's not off the charts, but he has good size, is athletic and has coachability.
"I have senior expectations for him, but I have to catch myself. He's only going into Grade 11, but I'm proud of how he's worked."
Harper will likely start on both sides of the ball - at offensive tackle and at defensive end,
where he can concentrate on making life miserable for the opposition quarterback.
Workouts by the O-line at this summer's team camps have been fruitful and beg the question whether more passing will creep into the Hyacks' primarily runoriented offence.
Whichever plays the coordinator calls, Harper says he and his team are focusing on one game at a time.
"Definitely, me and the team are really focused on getting to the playoffs and being a championship team. We have to just grind every day and work hard," he said. "There is definitely a lot of commitment there. These guys really want to win."
Harper says he doesn't dwell on how far he has come, but rather on what he and his Hyack brothers have yet to accomplish.
"I don't think about (myself) that much. I think of it for a second and then keep pushing through," he said.
For more on New Westminster Hyacks high school community football, go to www.hyacksfoot ball.com
B.C. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL New Westminster varsity schedule
Aug 29 - vs. South Delta (after Record deadlines)
Sept 6 - @ Sequim, Washington
Sept 13 - Homecoming - vs. Centennial 7:30
p.m.
Sept 20 - @ *Mt. Douglas
Sept 27 - vs. *Belmont 5 p.m.
Oct 4 - @ *West Vancouver
Oct 12 - @ *Vancouver College
Oct 18 - bye
Oct 25 - vs. *Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.
Nov 1 - vs. *Handsworth 7:30 p.m.
Nov 8/9 - Wildcard playoffs
Nov 15/16 - Quarter-finals
Nov 23 - Semifinals
Nov 30 - B.C. AAA championships
Western conference game
