Ian Harris Claims a Pick-6 Interception and the Black Shirt

Ian Harris accomplished a lot on Senior Night at Miller Field. Not only did he help the Vikings wrap up a coveted berth in the MIAA playoffs with a 34-6 victory over Salem, he returned an interception for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Robert Noonan.

Harris was the Vikings’ recipient of the Black Shirt defensive player of the game award.

Head Coach Jon Cadigan felt that Harris’ second quarter Pick-6 was a turning point in the game, with Salem driving deep into Winthrop territory.

“They were driving and at that point, they were hitting us with a bootleg play which is similar to what we run,” said Cadigan. “But it just shows the kind of player Ian is and how smart he is. He figured out the play and did a great job of stepping in front of the football and he had the speed to take it to the house [for a 79-yard return for a touchdown]. That was a huge play.”

Harris has been a three-year varsity player, having excelled as a middle linebacker and tight end on the NEC title team in the spring.

“He’s been great for us,” said Cadigan. “He’s been the leader of the defense and a guy you can count on offensively to block the edge.”

Asked to describe his Pick-6 touchdown, Harris said, “I was in a perfect position. I saw him come out to the flat and I jumped it. [Robert] Noonan came right up in front of me and there was a Salem player chasing me, and I didn’t get caught, and that was good.”

On his 56-yard touchdown reception, Harris said he found an opening in the secondary “and Noonan threw a good ball, and I was in the end zone.”

Harris said qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in his career “feels great.”

“For the past three years, we haven’t qualified, and last year we couldn’t have playoffs [due to COVID-19 restrictions] – I think we would have had a good run in the playoffs last year, but this year, we’re in, and hopefully we can have a good run.”

 And if Winthrop can defeat Saugus Friday night, Ian Harris and the Vikings will be back at Miller Field for their first-round playoff game, with another huge crowd in attendance.