Rebounding from a knee injury that sidelined him for 8 1/2 games of his sophomore season, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) junior defensive end/wide receiver Eli Harold is more focused and determined than ever on the gridiron. He figures to be an important piece of a Dolphins squad that is expected to contend for a state championship this season.

“I don’t think about it at all,” said Harold, referring to the knee fracture he suffered last season. “In fact, it makes me play harder. I’m mad about what happened last year.”

Ocean Lakes, which was forced to forfeit six games last season due to an ineligible player, is on a mission. It certainly has done well in two regular season games thus far, recording two straight shutouts against Princess Anne (51-0) and Salem (22-0), respectively.

“It was great,” Harold said of the season opening win over Princess Anne. “All of the guys were motivated. It was an emotional game. I got hurt last year. I worked so hard to get to where I am now. We worked so hard to get to where we are.”

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