Athleticism, instinctiveness help Dallas Harper make impact for Gateway defense | Trib HSSN

By: Michael Love

Earlier

Subsequent

Gateway wanted a play early within the fourth quarter at North Hills on Sept. 9.

The Gators trailed 17-10 and the Indians had the ball hoping to shut out an upset victory.

That’s when Dallas Harper stepped up.

North Hills had a fourth and three from close to midfield, and it tried to get the primary down by means of the air. However the 6-foot-2 senior security undercut the route of an Indians receiver, picked off the cross, and raced 54 yards to the tip zone.

“I had a sense they’d cross the ball, and that’s why I used to be so prepared,” Harper stated. “We had been actually ready.”

The play tied the sport at 17, and Gateway then secured the 20-17 win with a discipline purpose from Cole Plaskon within the remaining minutes of regulation.

“With out his athleticism and instinctiveness, he doesn’t make that play,” Gateway coach Don Holl stated.

“It’s a must to have each, and we’re glad he performs with each.”

Harper has developed a status for making massive performs the previous couple of years for Gateway, which was 3-0 and No. 1 within the Trib HSSN WPIAL Class 5A rankings heading into its Massive East opener Friday at rival Franklin Regional.

“We began off actually gradual in opposition to North Hills, however I really feel it shouldn’t have been that shut of a recreation,” Harper stated.

“However we began to choose it up, and all people did their jobs. It was a pleasant staff win.”

After Franklin Regional, Gateway returns dwelling Friday to tackle convention foe Plum led by former Gateway assistant Matt Morgan.

Harper completed the North Hills recreation with two interceptions, giving him 4 by means of three video games. He additionally recorded interceptions in opposition to each Mt. Lebanon and Woodland Hills.

Brandon Livsey, Gateway’s cornerbacks coach, holds the Gators’ single-season file for interceptions with 11 tallied in 2004, and Harper is on tempo to problem that mark.

“We do speak about it typically,” Harper stated.

Livsey stated he appreciates what Harper has completed as a ball hawk to this point this season.

“He’s so instinctive, and when the ball is within the air, he is aware of he has a possibility to do one thing particular. He hasn’t missed,” Livsey stated.

“It’s all about being athletic, trusting what he sees in entrance of him, and reacting to the ball. It could be nice if he can get my file, and he wish to get that, however his focus is on doing what he can to assist his staff win every week. If, for him, which means intercepting balls and making performs, that’s what he desires to do.”

Harper obtained launched to organized soccer at age 5 on a flag staff in Penn Hills and placed on the pads for the primary time two years later.

He transferred to Gateway in tenth grade and began to kind the inspiration for his Gators profession.

Whereas at all times a defensive again, Harper began out as a backup quarterback to starter Carsen Engleka in 2020.

Final 12 months, when Brad Birch got here in from Jeannette, Harper knew that to get on the sphere on offense, a change in place was so as.

“I felt I may play anyplace on the sphere, so I went out to receiver to see what I may do there,” he stated.

The change benefited each Harper and Gateway total. He broke out with 27 catches for 386 yards and 5 touchdowns as Gateway went 7-4 total and suffered a heartbreaking 23-20 loss to Penn Hills within the first spherical of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

Early in opposition to North Hills, Harper had a landing cross from Birch referred to as again on a holding penalty.

“I used to be devastated to see that occur,” Harper stated. “In the event you watched the sport, you possibly can see me drop my head. I actually wished that rating. It could’ve been an excellent begin to the sport.”

Within the opener with Mt. Lebanon, Harper was key for the Gators’ efforts in taking down the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A champions.

He caught seven passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Blue Devils within the 21-6 victory.

“Dallas is enjoying very well for us on each side of the ball,” Holl stated.

“We knew that he was going to have the ability to go at a excessive stage over the summer time, and we knew that final 12 months, too. He’s an elite athlete, and he’s making performs like elite athletes make.”

Harper has garnered recognition from a number of school soccer packages.

He acquired his second supply Sept. 12 from Division II West Liberty in West Virginia. He already had a D-II supply from West Virginia’s Bluefield State School.

“The recruiting course of is basically good for me proper now,” Harper stated.

“It’s one thing I at all times wished to get the possibility to expertise. I had at all times seen others from Gateway and elsewhere get affords, and I wished to see the way it felt for me.”

Harper stated that along with being a difference-maker for the Gators, he enjoys being a mentor for youthful brother Dyson, a sophomore vast receiver and defensive again.

“It’s nice to have just a little brother on the staff,” he stated.

“I like to show him at any time when I can and be an instance for him with what I do on the sphere. We study all the identical stuff on the similar practices. He’s a very good participant, and he’s getting higher on a regular basis.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Overview Employees Author. You’ll be able to contact Michael by electronic mail at mlove@triblive.com or through Twitter .

Tags: Gateway