While he isn’t the biggest or fastest player on the football field most nights, rushing for over 3,000 yards in the last two seasons proves that Harlan senior running back Andrew Link is among the best running backs in the region.

Link, who has rushed for 1,573 yards and scored 21 touchdowns this season, doesn’t take much credit and is quick to point to others when asked about his success.

“I give the glory to God. I’m only (5 feet, 8 inches tall, 190 pounds) and run about a five second 40 (yard dash). The Lord has just put me in the right situation,” he said. “I’ve also got a great offensive line. They have done a great job this year.”

“He doesn’t say a lot about himself. But, you don’t come out and get 1,500 yards a year without being pretty good and working hard yourself,” said Harlan coach J.B. Donahue. “He’s the first person that gives his line all of the credit, and granted our line has played really well. But, a lot of kids wouldn’t keep banging away like Andrew does.”

Donahue said Link has worked to make himself a great football player.

“He works extremely hard and does whatever is asked of him,” he said. “He has took what abilities the good Lord has given him and expanded on them and made them a lot better.”

On a Harlan team that primarily runs the ball, Link has served as a workhorse throughout the year, carrying the ball 262 times in the first nine games of the season. Donahue said the high number of carries suits Link’s running style.

“He just continues to pound away and pound away. I don’t know that I have ever seen anybody any better at continuously getting you three and four yards,” he said. “If I was going to describe him in a word I would say he is relentless.”

Now, in his third year on the Dragons’ football team, Link said he tries to help the younger players.

“I try to lead by example.” he said. “I don’t talk as much as I probably should, but I just try to lead by example and show everybody else what to do.”

“He is a pleasure to be around as a human being. He’s a great role model for other kids,” added Donahue.

With his senior season nearly behind him, Link has turned his attention to helping the Green Dragons to advance in the playoffs.

“It’s great to have a home playoff game this year. Hopefully, we will get a shot at Pikeville in the second round,” he said. “We want to make it as far as we can. We have some challenges ahead of us, but I believe we can do it.”

Harlan plays host to Knox Central tonight.