A very special touchdown…for a very special team…Standard Article

By Jim Burton (Standard-Examiner staff)

Meet Harrison LaRose, football hero.

Last week, while playing for the South Ogden Jets of the Wasatch Football League, Harrison dazzled the crowd when he scooted into the end zone from about a yard away.

After achieving his objective, Harrison proudly spiked the ball and — this is the important part — was mobbed by teammates and opponents alike.

The place went nuts, and word has it there wasn’t a dry eye within five miles.

See, 12-year-old Harrison is a special young man. And in addition to being special, he also has Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

Asperger’s has presented some challenges for Harrison, but clearly it hasn’t slowed him down.

Anyone who witnessed his touchdown run can attest to that.

“I’m not kidding, it was electrifying,” said Carl Harwood, one of the Jets’ coaches.

The whole thing happened late in an Oct. 3 game between South Ogden and North Summit. Well in control of the game, the Jets coaching staff decided it was time to get Harrison, who normally plays on the defensive line, his first touchdown.

Midway through the fourth quarter, South Ogden’s quarterback was forced out of bounds near the 1-yard line, and it was time to go to work.

After spending time on the sidelines, getting coached on the finer points of taking a handoff and running to daylight, Harrison was ready. However, he and his quarterback had trouble with the exchange, and a few plays later, it was North Summit’s ball once again.

Dejected, Harrison initially got down on himself. But thanks to some quick encouragement from his coaches and teammates, his focus returned.

After a defensive stop, the Jets’ offense took over and again marched down to the 1. Time to go to work again, this time with only a minute or so remaining… READ ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE STANDARD.NET WEBSITE

Picture Credit: Matthew Hatfield, Standard Examiner