Brandon Harrell is used to standing on the sideline.

The St. Aloysius senior didn’t start a game in his first three seasons with the team despite his best efforts to viciously attack practice with a vigorous work ethic and humble mentality.

If hard work pays off, Harrell will cash in his past for one big check when the Flashes take on Coffeeville in the Class 1A North State championship game Friday night at Balzli Field.

The only sideline standing he’ll be doing is during the National Anthem.

The senior wide receiver started the season mostly as a non-factor. He caught two passes last season. But when fellow wideout Lane Hynum went down with an injury in September, Harrell stepped up to the plate and delivered some of St. Al’s most memorable moments in a season that has culminated in back-to-back North State title appearances.

“I’m most proud of him because he’s really stepped up and contributed big time this year,” St. Al coach BJ Smithhart said. “As a senior, he’s the guy who’s done what he’s asked to do. Never got his head down when he didn’t play in the past, and now it’s good things happen when you do what is asked.”

With Hynum gone for six weeks, Harrell took the reins as the Flashes’ clutch receiver. He isn’t just unafraid to catch the big ball. He vocally calls for it.

“I like those situations,” Harrell said. “I often beg him sometimes when (Smithhart) thinks about punting it to throw it to me. Let me do it. I like those situations. I can really respond … get us the first down. Whatever we need.”

The senior has hauled in some of the most important receptions of the season for his team as it cruised to a 12-1 record. Harrell’s biggest impact came in the regular season against Broad Street, where he hauled in three catches for 55 yards in a 40-30 win. He also scored a five-yard rushing touchdown against John F. Kennedy and is averaging an impressive 15.3 yards per catch on just 12 receptions. Most of those dozen catches have been for first downs.

“The first round playoff game he kind of got us back going with the big catch on the third and long against Coldwater when they made it close. Last week he had a big catch or two and kind of throughout the year,” Smithhart said. “The first time we played Shelby he had a bunch of third and fourth down receptions whenever it was real close.”

St. Al will be in a familiar setting Friday, and Harrell is finally able to say he has earned the opportunity to stand by his teammates when the Flashes hit the field.

“It feels great. It’s what I’ve always wanted,” Harrell said. “I know we’ve all worked hard for it, especially me. I’ve wanted to start since at least last year really, but it’s really not a big deal. It’s something I’ve worked hard for and now it’s finally here.”

On the radio

Friday, 7 p.m., 101.3 FM

Coffeeville at St. Aloysius

Class 1A North State championship