JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Sabastian Harsh, a senior on Scottsbluff High School’s football team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Harsh had a spectacular showing in the Bearcats’ impressive 47-12 win at Hastings on Friday, scoring six touchdowns – three rushing and three passing. Scottsbluff, which is 2-0, plays at 2-0 Grand Island Northwest this upcoming Friday. His parents are Gina and Jon Harsh.
Q: How do you like how Scottsbluff has played so far this season?
HARSH: “I think the first week really built up the young DB’s confidence because our DBs are pretty young this year, and most of them had never started in a varsity game before. That was a big win, but I thought this week’s win [over Hastings] was bigger because everyone knew Hastings was good, and they were coming off a win against McCook. They were feeling pretty hyped, so we had to go out there and show the rest of Class B what we can do.”
Q: Has Scottsbluff played just as well as you thought it would this season?
HARSH: “Personally, I think we’ve played better than what I was expecting.”
Q: What impresses you the most about this year’s team?
HARSH: “I think it’s our resilience. We can get points scored on us, but it’s not going to affect our mindset. We’re just going to want to go out there and play our game – do it the way we want to. So, definitely resilience is big, and this year I also think we’re more like a family. We bond with each other very well, and we have great team chemistry. We hang out with each other after practice, and I think doing that helps us get a good feel for each other and builds up our confidence. We can trust one another a lot more that way.”
Q: How does this year’s team compared to last year’s team that made it to the state championship game?
HARSH: “Personally, I think we’re a lot better. Last year we definitely were able to run the ball pretty well as everyone saw, but this year I think we’re able to incorporate more passing. We did 7-on-7 stuff in the summer, and I feel like that’s helped us a lot. We’re also a lot quicker this year, I think, and our line is back, so I think we’re better at blocking. I think we’re better overall.”
Q: What are your expectations for this year’s team?
HARSH: “Nothing less than a state championship. I want to make sure that I put myself and my team into the position we were in last year and just capitalize on that moment and come out with a ‘W.’”
Q: How would you assess how you’ve played in the first two weeks of the season?
HARSH: “In the first game, I thought I came out a little slow – first-game jitters. No one really expects me to have jitters, but I still get nervous before games. I came out a little bit nervous. I had an interception and a fumble – one of them turned into a score for the other team – so [Friday against Hastings] I made sure that I came out more confident with myself and I knew that if I did make a mistake, it wouldn’t be the end of the world; I could still come back and make a play. So this week, I trusted myself more with throwing the ball and running the ball, and I trusted my blockers. Everything went smooth.”
Q: You had six touchdowns against Hastings. Is that the most touchdowns you’ve had in one game?
HARSH: “Yes. Last year I had five in one game.”
Q: How amazing was that experience for you against Hastings?
HARSH: “It was definitely fun, but every time I did score, I made sure that I didn’t make a big deal out of it. Coach Hall always tells us, ‘If you score or make a good play, act like you’ve done it before. Have class.’ So, I made sure to act like I’ve been there before.”
Q: What other sports do you plan to compete in this year?
HARSH: “As of right now, just football. I don’t know if I want to play a winter sport or a spring sport. I am considering doing wrestling again this year. I’m also considering basketball, but I don’t know yet.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
HARSH: “I definitely want to play college football at a D-I university. Right now, I’m getting the most looks from Wyoming and South Dakota State. My number one choice for where I would like to go is Wyoming.”
Q: How cool would it be to play Division I football?
HARSH: “That would be such a blessing. That would be awesome.”
Q: Are you involved in any other activities at school besides sports?
HARSH: “I think I’m going to do DECA this year.”
Q: Outside of sports, what do you like to do for fun?
HARSH: “I like to hang out with my friends. We like to spend time at [Lake Minatare]. I also like to play video games. I like to have fun other than just playing sports.”
Q: Have you lived in Scottsbluff your whole life?
HARSH: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Scottsbluff?
HARSH: “It’s great. It’s a great community. It’s like a big family here. Everyone knows each other. I’m always running into people I know and having a conversation with them, whether it’s about football, my future plans, school, how they’re doing, and other stuff. It’s definitely a great place to live. People have been really nice to me. I’ve been blessed to have such good crowds at our games, and I appreciate all the support people have given me throughout my life. Scottsbluff is awesome.”
Q: Which teacher has made the biggest influence on you?
HARSH: “There’s at least six or seven teachers I could name. But for sure one of the top teachers would have to be Mr. [Mark] Moran because ever since I was a freshman, he saw a really good football player in me and not only that but also a really good person in me. I always see him in the hallways, and he’s always telling me to get my stuff right. Like, if I get a bad score on a test and I tell him about it, he’ll say, ‘Well, you need to go re-do it.’ He always encourages me to work harder and to do the best I can in everything.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in this area?
HARSH: “Backaracks because they’ve really supported our football team and other sports. I love to eat there after every home game.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing to order there?
HARSH: “I like the Cowboy Burger.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in the Scottsbluff community.
HARSH: “I would say my pastor, Leroy Wyre. Every time I go to church, he’s usually the first person to greet me when I walk through the doors. He always gives me great pep talks. He comes to the games, and I talk to him after the games. He’s just a great person to be around. When you’re around him, you can’t stop smiling because he’s got that spark and positive energy you like to be around.”
Q: Who’s your favorite college football team?
HARSH: “It’s Wyoming, for sure. I went to the Wyoming versus Missouri game, and that was such a great atmosphere. It was so crazy and fun, with the way everyone was cheering. I dream of being part of that.”
Q: Who are your siblings?
HARSH: “I have two brothers: Sabian, 23, and Salem, 20. They’re both in the Marines. My sister is Sabrina, 15.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in September to the Irrigation Disaster Relief Fund.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
