By Sam Bernardi for The Montgomery News | Posted October 7, 2026
There is not much Xavier Harrigan (No. 6) doesn’t do for the Montgomery football team.
Head Coach Sean Carty deploys the senior as a wide receiver, running back, defensive back, kick returner, and punt returner. He would probably drive the bus for road games if permitted, too.
Montgomery High School Senior Xavier Harrigan (No. 6)
“He’s a tremendous football player,” Carty said. “He’s explosive. He’s energetic. He’s dynamic on the football field. I mean, he’s awesome.”
For Harrigan, the work starts early in the morning. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, he and some buddies run hills at 4 or 5 am. Then they lift for two hours. And on those “off-day” Tuesdays and Thursdays, he has hours of basketball workouts.
His phone’s wallpaper includes individual and team goals for the season, with a goal of bringing home the big hardware:
“Obviously we want to win a state championship, bring the first one to the school. So I know to do that, I have to work hard,” Harrigan said.
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Through the Cougars’ first five games, Harrigan recorded 254 rushing yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 71 receiving yards (in just two games), forced fumbles, and consistently racks up tackles. He needs those relentless workouts to avoid burning out in the fourth quarter.
When Coach Carty needs a play, he calls No. 6.
“Most plays kind of go around him, whether it’s 3rd-and-6 or 1st-and-10,” Carty said.
Harrigan has the ability to flip a game on its head, or inject the crowd with life.
MHS Senior Xavier Harrigan has the ability to flip a game on its head, or inject the crowd with life.
“Every time I’m on the field, when I get the ball, I want the opposing coach to be like, ‘Oh crap! Just tackle. Tackle!’” Harrigan said.
Perhaps Harrigan’s greatest accomplishment came during the team’s annual senior/freshman lunch. The boys decided on a hot dog eating contest.
Harrigan won, though that high score of three dogs leaves Coney Island and Joey Chestnut far in the distance.
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Football runs in the family. Harrigan’s uncle is former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who is routinely on the sideline. Harrigan’s younger brother Isaac also plays for the Cougars.
Harrigan’s recruitment process is still open; however, he wants to remain in-state. Uncle Eric is his “biggest role model.” “He played at Rutgers. That’s where I want to play college football,” Harrigan said.
He wants to study communications and hopes to one day become a sports commentator.
