HIGH SCHOOL

Nation's top football programs aren't only ones chasing Avon RB Sampson James

Avon High School junior Sampson James (2) runs the ball toward the end zone to score during the first half of an IHSAA high school football game at Ben Davis High School, Friday, August 25, 2017.

AVON – It was a classic game. Two years ago, in a Class 6A football semistate, Avon came as close to sealing a state finals bid as any team ever has without leaving with a win.

Sampson James was suited up for that 35-34 double-overtime loss at Center Grove. He was a freshman then, watching from the sideline as IndyStar Mr. Football Brandon Peters led the Orioles to their deepest tournament run in a decade.

“I was there, suited up,” James said. “It was very competitive and a lot of people were there. It was exciting. We just came up a little short.”

Two years later, seventh-ranked Avon (9-2) gets another shot at Center Grove (6-5). This time it is at home and in the regional round. And this time James will have a much bigger role than as a spectator.

The 6-1, 205-pound junior is quickly becoming one of the state’s top running backs and a name to remember when next year’s Mr. Football watch list is compiled. James, who flashed his potential as a physical north-south runner as a sophomore, has added 25 pounds and some wiggle and vision to his game as a junior.

The results? James has 1,504 and 18 touchdowns behind one of the state’s best offensive lines and most versatile offenses in 6A.

“He has that burst of speed now that he probably didn’t have last year,” Avon coach Mark Bless said. “He has that explosive step. He can plant his foot, redirect and accelerate. His vision and explosiveness is what has probably moved him up a step.”

Avon High School junior Sampson James (2) looks for a hole in the defense as he rushes the ball out of the backfield during the first half of an IHSAA high school football game at Ben Davis High School, Friday, August 25, 2017.

Indiana coach Tom Allen was the first to offer James a scholarship. After a team camp at IU in June, Allen called Bless to extend the offer. James had no idea it was coming.

“He was shocked,” Bless said. “I was like, ‘Dude, you are good. You are really good.’ But I think that’s his personality. I think with the (college recruiting), he feels a little embarrassed around his teammates about it. He knows he has a very good offensive line in front of him and other skill guys people have to key on.”

It is true. Opposing teams can only focus on James at their own peril. Senior quarterback Cameron Misner (2,558 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions) has established weapons in the passing game with seniors Isaac Guerendo (47 catches, 1,083 yards, 14 TDs) and Luke Shayotovich (54 catches, 702 yards, 12 TDs).

Guerendo, a Wisconsin recruit who is also a track star, gives James someone to shoot for. James ran track last year, competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 relay.

“He’s different,” James said of Guerendo. “I try to keep up with him, especially every day in practice. I want him to go hard so I can see what I can do and see where I am. Running track helped with my speed. I made good jumps in the weight room and that combination has helped me this year.”

Indiana’s Allen has competition in James’ recruitment. Cincinnati, Iowa and Minnesota offered him scholarship. Ohio State, which had been tracking him closely since the beginning of the season, offered James earlier this week. So did Purdue. James will visit Ohio State on Saturday for its game against Michigan State.

“It’s a blessing to get all of these offers and attention,” he said. “I don’t let it go to my head. Ultimately, I’m trying to help us win a state championship. That’s my main focus. It’s a blessing, though. It feels like all the hard work I’ve been doing is starting to pay off.”

Avon junior Sampson James (2) celebrates a touchdown with teammate senior Jack Camp (77) during the first half, Aug. 25, 2017.

Football runs in James’ blood. His older brothers — Montez Robinson (Georgia) and Armonze (Marshall) and Elijah Daniel (Auburn) — played college football after playing at Avon. Another brother, Matthew James, is a freshman defensive tackle at Indiana State. A younger brother, Nathaniel James, is a sophomore defensive end at Avon.

“Four of my brothers have gone on to play Division I football,” James said. “That’s what I’d like to do. My brother Nathaniel is a good player. He’s naturally strong and has good technique. He’ll improve and be really good, too.”

James has shown he can do more than just take a handoff. He has also caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns and can return kicks.

“I want to be a complete running back,” he said. “That’s how I’d like to view myself. I want to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, run between the tackles and outside the tackles. I need to pass block. I want to be good at everything. I watch all different types of running backs to study them and see what they do. It helps.”

Two years after watching his team lose a heartbreaker to Center Grove, James will have a hand in trying to bring Avon back to the semistate. He is not the only one.

“Many of the seniors on this team either played in that game or were there,” Bless said. “They don’t want to be compared to that team, but they want to leave a legacy. They want to do something we haven’t been able to accomplish in the past, whether that is beating Center Grove or making it to a state championship game.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.