Football: Isham vs. Harrington is unlikely QB showdown

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Who would have thought that the starting quarterbacks in Friday’s Northern Division championship game between Westlake and Oaks Christian were never expected to be in the positions they are.

Westlake senior quarterback Nick Isham started his high school career playing for Chaminade in West Hills as a freshman. Then he enrolled at Oaks Christian during the summer but lasted only a couple of weeks after Nick Montana transferred in.

‘I had seven quarterbacks and had to make a decision,’ Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell said.

Isham then ended up at Westlake, where he has become one of the most accurate passers in Southern California, completing 73% this season for 2,720 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Then there’s Oaks Christian quarterback Richie Harrington. He was a backup quarterback at Santa Monica, transferred to Oaks Christian last season and was forced to sit out because of transfer rules. This season, he was supposed to be the backup to Trevor Gretzky, but an injury to Gretzky forced Harrington into the lineup, and he has responded with 2,314 yards passing and 33 touchdowns.

Now both quarterbacks are living out their dreams and are one win away from a championship.

-- Eric Sondheimer