St. Aloysius might get star running back DeMichael Harris back Friday night when it travels to take on Washington School. It will be a much-needed return.

Harris, who injured his ankle two weeks ago against Pisgah, isn’t 100 percent healthy, but Flashes coach BJ Smithhart planned to test him this week and slowly ease him back into the game. Going forward into the season there’s potential for Connor Bottin and Harris to share the rushing load.

“When DeMichael gets back, we can probably put in some two-back sets and get them both in the field at the same time,” Smithhart said.

The Flashes are still winless through the first three games of the season and are looking to get things rolling. Last week against Madison-St. Joseph, they had 70 yards in penalties.

Fumbled snaps have also been a problem, and the Flashes have worked in practice to correct it.

“We’re playing a really good team on the road,” Smithhart said. “We just have to shore up all the special team miscues, and try to find some more consistency offensively and defensively.”

Washington (1-1) is coming off a bye week, losing to Jackson Prep in its previous matchup. However, the Flashes will have their hands full against a well-rounded Class AAAA team.

Offensively, he said, the Generals run the power read, zone plays and speed sweep. They’re averaging 232 rushing yards per game.

St. Al gave up nearly 500 rushing yards against Pisgah.

“They’re physical, big and have a lot of kids dressed out. They’re a really good football team,” Smithhart said. “They don’t run a lot of plays but they run a good system and their plays real well.”

Smithhart feels the defense is the strength of the Generals.

“We have to show up for our blocking assignments. We’ve got to hit the holes quick and got to get the ball out quick and just make plays. Not try to do too much,” Smithhart said.

Smithhart added that Washington is as good at stopping the run as they are at running it.

“You’ve got to commit people to the run and we’ve got to do a better job of playing our gaps and making sure we’re doing our job and not somebody else’s,” Smithhart said.

Smithhart hopes having Harris on the field, the cleanup of mistakes and not giving people good field position leads to a better overall game and a chance to win.

“I think they’re realizing that they’re not that far off when they’re watching film, it’s just one or two things we’ve got to fix,” Smithhart said