One day, Andrew Harris will be back at Caledonia Park to see his jersey number retired.

But until then, next Saturday (Nov. 14) is the last chance to see the V.I. Raiders’ explosive all-star tailback take the field.

The last game of Harris’ remarkable, record-setting Canadian Junior Football League career, is, fittingly, the Canadian Bowl national championship.

Already, Harris has helped to deliver Nanaimo two national championships, as he was the offensive MVP in both the 2006 and 2008 Canadian Bowl games.

Last week Harris scored two touchdowns against the South Surrey Rams as the Raiders captured a fourth-straight B.C. crown.

“Some people say, ‘Oh, you’ve won every time, it’s not as sweet,’” he said. “But it keeps getting better.”

Playing and winning has given the 22-year-old perspective – by now he knows how to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

“Knowing this is my last year and we’ve come this far and we’re undefeated, I’ve been soaking it all in and it’s a great feeling,” Harris said.

After leading the league with 1,476 rushing yards in 2009, Harris was named Wednesday as the recipient of the Wally Buono Award for junior football player of the year. It’s a fitting achievement for someone who started the 2009 season at B.C. Lions camp and practised with the CFL team all season long.

Before turning pro, though, there is one more chance to gain yardage. Harris’ 275 rushing yards so far in the 2009 playoffs are respectable, but nowhere near his miraculous 2008 playoff record of 1,109 yards in four games.

“Having a big game doesn’t make a big difference to me as long as we win the game and I can contribute as best I can,” Harris said. “If I end up going off for a bunch of yards then that’s great, but I’d rather see a team game and a win on the board.”

There are plenty of other fifth-year Raiders who will also be playing their last game next week, he pointed out, plus a host of younger players who will get caught up in the experience.

“It’s going to be an emotional game,” Harris said. “We’re going to play with a lot of heart. We don’t want to lose. We can’t lose.”

sports@nanaimobulletin.com