Columbus East’s Jared Brooks runs after catching a pass during a sectional game against Franklin Nov. 1, 2024, at Columbus East High School.
The Republic file photo
Jared Brooks and Bryce Harriman grew up playing basketball together and played on the offensive line together for the Central Middle School football team.
They went their separate ways in high school, with Brooks heading to Columbus East and Harriman to Columbus North. But Friday, they’ll be back on the same team for one night when they play for the South in the annual Indiana Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic at Decatur Central.
“Bryce has always been one of my good buddies growing up,” Brooks said. “He’s always been a great teammate. He’s always been a great leader, and I’m just thrilled to be able to wear the same jersey as him again.”
Columbus North center Bryce Harriman prepares to hike the ball during a game against Roncalli Sept. 13, 2024, at Columbus North High School.
The Republic file photo
After Harriman moved to Columbus in fifth grade, he started playing basketball for the same Columbus Revolution travel team as Brooks. Brooks went to St. Peter’s Lutheran, but played football at Central with Harriman.
“Him and I were basketball teammates,” Brooks said. “We’ve just grown up together in the same friends group. Playing football at Central, I played center, and he was one of our best O-lineman for sure. My eighth-grade year, when I moved to tight end, he was on my right side.”
Harriman moved into the starting lineup at right tackle his freshman year at North. He was there again his sophomore year before moving to center and also playing a little on the defensive line his final two years with the Bull Dogs.
Brooks was a three year starter at tight end for the Olympians. He also played linebacker the second half of his junior year and all of his senior year.
“We’ve been friends for a long time, even through high school,” Harriman said. “It should be really fun to have your friend out there to go through it with. It will be fun playing with him again. It’s always good to play on the same side of the ball with one of your friends you grew up playing with.”
Brooks and Harriman also competed against each other in track and field, where they threw the shot and discus.
“He was a great competitor in track and field, and it was great going against him a couple times a year every spring,” Brooks said.
Bryce Harriman
The All-Stars have been practicing this week at University of Indianapolis, which is where Harriman will be playing his college football beginning this fall.
“All the great athletes that will be playing from across the state, it definitely will be a good warmup and a good test for when I’ll be heading to college in August,” Harriman said. “I’m really excited to be playing. It’s a game that not a lot of people get to play in. I’m just blessed to be able to represent Columbus and Columbus North High School.”
Jared Brooks
Meanwhile, Brooks will be heading to Franklin College to continue his football career. He figures his experience with the All-Stars this week will prepare him for college.
“It will help out a lot, playing against those future college football players,” Brooks said. “Being on a team with full college players will put me in the right mindset for competition this upcoming fall. It’s an insane opportunity. I’m super thrilled to put East on the radar with that and represent my school. It’s a huge honor.”
