Harrigan Gains Yards, Notice

When newspapers and recruiting services were touting high school football players to watch this season, running back Patrick Harrigan of Huntington Beach High was rarely mentioned.

He was an unknown talent because the Oilers finished 2-8 last season.

But first-year Coach Mike Groscost knew a secret about Harrigan.

“I knew he had some great ability,” he said.

At midseason, Harrigan is the leading rusher in the Southland. He has gained 300 or more yards in four of Huntington Beach’s five games. His 1,252 yards rushing already tops the 908 yards he gained last season.

“It’s been a surprise to me,” Harrigan said.

Added Groscost: “He can do a lot of things. He can run up into the hole and bang and make moves on people. He has great vision. He sees things other backs can’t.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior helped Huntington Beach win four of its five nonleague games.

“I never imagined this in my life,” he said. “It’s always been my dream to have that winning year. I know it’s going to be a lot harder in league. I just hope we rise as a team.”

The Oilers began Sunset League play Thursday night against Los Alamitos, No. 5 in The Times’ rankings.

Harrigan said losing 20 pounds has made him faster and improved his elusiveness. But most of all, he gives credit to Groscost for changing the team’s mental outlook.

“He gave us a positive attitude and a sense of direction,” Harrigan said.

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Another running back who has burst onto the scene is senior Jacob Flowe of Chino. He’s No. 3 in the Southland in touchdowns with 17.

Last season, he was the backup to Kes Ekpre-Olomu. This season, Coach John Monger decided to put both in the same backfield.

Flowe, 6-1, 210 pounds, could be a fullback in college. He has worked hard on becoming proficient as a blocker, runner and receiver.

“To me, he’s just an all-purpose back,” Monger said.

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Despite sending its last three quarterbacks to California, Stanford and UCLA, respectively, Newhall Hart fans weren’t expecting big things from junior quarterback Sean Norton. They would have settled for ordinary.

Instead, Norton has been extraordinary. He hasn’t thrown an interception in 156 passes.

“I’m pretty excited to go through the first five games without an interception,” he said.

Kyle Boller, Kyle Matter and Matt Moore, respectively, never accomplished that feat.

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There’s a growing consensus that Mission Viejo (5-0) has the best defense in the Southern Section.

One reason is the play of linemen Chris Cole and Justin Williams. Cole has eight tackles for losses and four sacks. Williams has seven sacks.

Is it too early to start contemplating a Hart-Mission Viejo matchup in the Division II playoffs?

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La Puente Coach Rick Ward is thrilled with the play of 6-0 junior quarterback Gene Ortiz, who has thrown 17 touchdown passes with only one interception during the team’s 4-1 start.

Ortiz, who also plays baseball, started as a sophomore for La Puente, which is 2-0 in the Montview League. He figures to become the school’s all-time passing leader before he graduates.

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The CaliFlorida Bowl IV is set for Jan. 4 at the Coliseum, and the California team has selected an all-star collection of coaches.

Bill Redell of Westlake Village Oaks Christian will be head coach. His assistants include Jim Benkert of Westlake Village Westlake, Jose Casagran of L.A. Roosevelt, Ed Lalau of Wilmington Banning, Ron Mims of Pasadena Muir, Willie Guillory of Long Beach Jordan and Pete Duffy of L.A. Fremont.

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There are lots of colleges wishing Thousand Oaks kicker Jesse Ainsworth hadn’t committed to Arizona State during the summer. Ainsworth is seven of nine on field-goal attempts and has sent 11 of 12 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Midseason Report

A look at the top individual performers after five games:

*--* QUARTERBACK 1. Matt Engle, El Segundo Sr Has passed for 1,781 yards, 23 TDs 2. Sean Norton, Hart Jr Has 15 TD passes, no interceptions 3. Cary Dove, Taft Sr Has 1,206 yards passing, 16 TDs RUNNING BACK 1. Patrick Harrigan, Sr Leads region with 1,252 yards Huntington Beach rushing 2. Jacob Flowe, Chino Sr Has scored 17 touchdowns 3. Bo Renaud, Loyola Sr Rushed for 100-plus yards each game RECEIVER 1. Whitney Lewis, St. Sr Averaging 19.8 yards per reception Bonaventure 2. Ryan Graves, Muir Sr Has 59 receptions in five games 3. Alex Rosenblum, Calabasas Sr Averaging 22.1 yards per catch OFFENSIVE LINE 1. Drew Radovich, Mission Sr Keeps getting better Viejo 2. Hercules Satele, Long Sr Center who does his job Beach Poly 3. Norris Malele, Carson Jr He’s pushing around opponents DEFENSIVE LINE 1. Sedrick Ellis, Chino Sr Has nine tackles for losses 2. Lawrence Jackson, Inglewood Sr Has eight sacks 3. Chris Cole, Mission Viejo Sr Has 39 tackles, four sacks LINEBACKER 1. Drean Rucker, Canyon Sr Has four sacks, 68 tackles Springs 2. Michael Okwo, Mira Costa Sr Has five sacks, 35 tackles 3. Cody Kase, Hart Sr All-around play key to Indians DEFENSIVE BACK 1. Dennis Keyes, Birmingham Sr Has nine tackles for losses 2. Freddie Parish, Long Beach Sr Had 17 tackles vs. De La Salle Poly 3. Anthony Wheat, Dominguez Sr Has seven interceptions KICKER 1. Jesse Ainsworth, Thousand Sr Is seven of nine on field-goal Oaks attempts 2. Mike Allen, SO Notre Dame Sr Has made all eight field-goal attempts 3. Will Johnson, Santa Sr He’s four for four on field-goal Margarita attempts

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