Published: June 18, 2008 12:32 am      

Local flavor

North’s Harvey, East’s Harbert in North-South game

FAIRMONT — The annual North-South football game is and always has been an honor for West Virginia’s recently graduated high school gridiron players.

While there have been years when more have taken part, this year’s North team will have plenty of local flavor.

This year two Marion County athletes will be taking part in the festivities — East Fairmont’s L.T. Harbert and North Marion’s Josh Harvey.

Both athletes will be playing for the North Bears, under the direction of Cameron head coach and West Fairmont and Fairmont State graduate Jim Rogers.

Harbert, who will continue his career at Fairmont State University was one of the key cogs in East Fairmont’s historic playoff run in 2007.

His speed at both running back and defensive back should help the Bears keep up with a South Cardinal squad that is loaded with speed.

Harbert finished 2007 with 867 yards on just over 100 carries. He caught 30 passes for 550 yards and scored 21 touchdowns overall. His 152 points scored led the Bees in 2007.

He will be one of several Fairmont State recruits taking part in the game.

Harvey finished up his career as a two-year starter at quarterback for the North Marion Huskies.

While wins were hard to come by, Harvey was always trying to push the Huskies toward the end zone. His play on defense also earned him respect around the North Central Athletic Conference.

Harvey finished his senior season with 1,095 yards 85-of-215 passing. He tossed eight touchdown passes over the course of the year.

His best game came against Morgantown when he went 22-of-48 for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

As with Harbert, Harvey will also be heading to Fairmont State in the fall.

Both players will be key members of Rogers’ team that includes many other players from the Mon Valley in Robert C. Byrd’s Cameron Daniels and Jordan Griffin; Morgantown’s Andrew Garcia; Liberty’s Matt Griffin; Bridgeport’s Josh Kniceley and Sean Marion; South Harrison’s Dustin Roy; Grafton’s Sherman Royster; and University’s Chad Shade and Lee Yost.

The game is scheduled to be played Saturday at University of Charleston Stadium (formerly Laidley Field) at 7 p.m. in Charleston.

E-mail Mike Bowen at mbowen@timeswv.com.