Oxnard's Fontes, Harris enjoying Montana's ride to FCS national title game
While the highest level of college football is still tinkering with how best to crown its champion, the Football Championship Subdivision has had things figured out for a while.
When the University of Montana plays South Dakota State for the national championship Sunday in Frisco, Texas, local football fans will have a rooting interest.
Montana’s offense includes two weapons who helped Oxnard High reach the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 final in 2018.
Receiver Aaron Fontes and running back Xavier Harris will be working to lift underdog Montana to its first national title since 2001.
“We’re real confident,” Fontes told to The Star. “This situation is not new for us. We’ve been an underdog in our bigger games. We know how to prepare for it and attack the days.”
As the defending national champion which has won 28 straight games, South Dakota State (14-0) poses a championship-level final obstacle.
While Montana has survived dramatic overtime games in the semifinals and quarterfinals, South Dakota State has outscored its four postseason opponents 123-12.
More: Camarillo's Jaime Jaquez Jr. 'puts on for the 805' in first trip home as NBA player
“I’m excited to play this team,” Fontes said. “We beat their rivals. They beat our rivals. They’ve been here before, so it’s nothing new.”
Fontes is part of a strong three-receiver starting group. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior has caught 41 passes for 541 yards and five touchdowns for the 13-1 Grizzlies.
“We’ve got athletes all around the field that you really have to worry about,” Fontes said.
Harris is part of a deep backfield behind quarterback Clifton McDowell. The 5-10, 180-pound junior has rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 44 carries.
“My role is really bring a different type of energy in the game when it’s needed,” Harris said. “If the downhill game isn’t working, they can put me in to shake it up.”
The game is the culmination of a 24-team playoff that began in November, which reminds Fontes and Harris of the excitement they felt in postseason runs with the Yellowjackets.
“It reminds me of high school a little bit,” Fontes said. “The games have come at the right pace.”
While the Football Bowl Subdivision’s College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams next season, Harris recommends the bigger format.
“I think the FBS is kind of weird on how they do it compared to ours,” Harris said. “Ours is better.”
Both Fontes and Harris signed with the Grizzlies during their senior years in 2020.
“I was just ready to go and experience something new in my life,” Fontes said. “Having ‘X’ here helped. I have someone from Oxnard I can call my brother out here. We’re both on the same journey, trying to do something for ourselves and the city.”
They aren’t the only Ventura County natives on the Montana roster. Montana linebacker Erich Osteen is a Simi Valley native who played at Chaminade and UCLA. His sister, Katja, was a sectional wrestling champion at Royal High.
With Washington, including Camarillo native and former Westlake High defensive back Kamren Fabiculanan, preparing to play Michigan for the CFP championship on Monday, Harris has some bragging rights.
He had 82 yards from scrimmage, including 70 rushing yards, in Montana’s 13-7 win at Washington in 2021.
“It’s been an amazing ride,” Harris said. “This is something that you dream of as kids. I’m just glad one of my dreams has come true. It’s been the time of my life."
Joe Curley covers high school, collegiate and professional football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcsjoecurley on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Oxnard's Fontes, Harris enjoying ride to FCS national title game
