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Ellender Memorial High School head football coach and athletic director Terry Washington confirmed to the Tri-Parish Times this week that former Vandebilt Catholic standout athlete Justen Harris is now enrolled at the Houma-based public school.
Washington said that Harris has been enrolled at Ellender since this past Monday – news that has shocked both Ellender and Vandebilt alike.
Just three days before enrolling as a Patriot, Harris was scoring four first-half touchdowns and gaining 176 rushing yards as a halfback for Vandebilt in the team’s blowout win against Assumption.
“We had no idea,” Washington said. “We didn’t have a clue that this was coming. He just showed up on Monday. He didn’t say anything about it. I don’t know what transpired. All I know is that come Monday, here he was – he just showed up at our school.”
The Tri-Parish Times contacted Harris this week via social media to inquire about his decision to enroll at Ellender. Harris confirmed the decision, but did not offer an explanation why.
Calls made to Vandebilt head football coach Brad Villavaso this week regarding the situation were unreturned as of press-time.
With Harris’ transfer complete, Washington said the Patriots are working with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to determine the junior’s eligibility.
Washington said that Harris lives in the Patriots’ school district and has been enrolled at the school before. Harris went to Ellender at the beginning of his high school career and transferred to Vandebilt in the ninth grade.
“Right now, we’re just waiting to see what happens,” Washington said. “He’s enrolled here. But we’re waiting on the association to make a ruling. We don’t know exactly what they’re going to say in terms of his eligibility.”
In a normal situation, a student-athlete that transfers from one school to the next must sit out a year of athletic competition before being able to compete at his/her new school.
But the LHSAA also has a precedent of allowing players to regain their eligibility immediately if extraordinary circumstances are in place, such as divorce or other unforeseen issues that pull a player from one school and force him to enroll at another.
Washington said that because of those rules, he doesn’t rule out that Harris may play football for the Patriots this season.
If that transpires, he could theoretically face Vandebilt later in the season when the two teams meet this Friday.
If eligible for football, this will mark the second-straight year that Ellender has a situation like this come to light.
Last year, the Patriots played halfback Justin Johnson on its football team just weeks after he transferred from South Terrebonne.
Washington said he would wait until the LHSAA makes its final ruling before elaborating further on the situation.
But he added that Harris is an elite athlete that will “make a difference” on any team that he competes for.
Prior to his transfer, Harris had 568 yards rushing and four touchdowns for Vandebilt.
“Any kid who had 170 yards and four touchdowns in a half against Assumption is pretty special,” Washington said. “He can help out, for sure.”
CREPPEL RETURNS, ELLENDER FALTERS
The Patriots did get another piece of good news this week.
Senior quarterback Dustin Creppel is back from another shoulder injury.
The Patriots’ standout quarterback returned during Friday night’s game against South Terrebonne.
He fared well in the contest, tossing for 358 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
Former Vandebilt Catholic standout Justen Harris makes a push toward the basket during a playoff game last season. Harris transferred to Ellender this week and is awaiting a ruling from the LHSAA regarding his eligibility.
