He Doesn’t Mind Being Known as Clay’s Wingman

To opponents, he’s known simply as . . . the other guy.

With nationally touted Dante Clay in the same backfield, David Harlow of North Hollywood High is used to such anonymity.

“It’s all right,” Harlow said. “It’s not that big a deal to me.”

Harlow, a 5-feet-9, 170-pound senior, is the back opposite Clay in North Hollywood’s explosive double-wing offense, which averages 317 yards a game. Although Clay, with his nearly 1,800 yards rushing, gets all the attention, Harlow said there is an upside.

“[Defenses] key on him a lot so that frees me up a lot,” said Harlow, who averages five yards a carry.

Harlow, who also starts at free safety, is coming off his first 100-yard game this season. He rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in 11 carries in the Huskies’ 48-7 rout of Eagle Rock in the first-round of the City Section 3-A Division playoffs.

North Hollywood (6-5) faces Canoga Park (7-4) in the second round tonight at 7.

Harlow has rushed for 589 yards in 117 carries and is the team’s second leading scorer, behind Clay, with 11 touchdowns and 10 two-point conversions.

On any other team, Harlow might be the guy. For North Hollywood, he is a secret weapon.

“[Opponents] don’t respect his speed,” Coach Gary Gray said. “He’s actually faster than you think. If you line the two up, he may beat Dante in a 100-yard race.”

Still, Harlow isn’t looking to buck the system.

“He knows his role,” Gray said. “And he appreciates what Dante is.”

He also appreciates Clay’s friendship. The two share a game-day ritual that includes going to Jack-in-the-Box before every game. From there, Clay and Harlow head to Harlow’s house for a friendly game of computer football. And who wins?

“It’s usually me,” Harlow said. “But it’s my system.”