Athlete of the Week: Richie James

Riverview High rising senior quarterback Richie James accounted for five touchdowns to help lead the Rams to a 42-35 victory over Southeast in their spring game May 24.

James, who converted from wide receiver, completed all five of his passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He also racked up 173 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns on runs of 46, 18 and 59 yards.

My last touchdown was special. I was running backwards and fumbled the ball. I kind of dropped the ball, so I had to maneuver left and right and then get (past people) down the field. It was a long run, too.

I knew I was going to have to step up. If it helps my team, then I would rather be a quarterback. Everyone looks up to you to make plays and be the leader of the team.

When you’re the quarterback, you have to know every play, every assignment and know what everyone else is doing. You have to make all of the reads. Basically, you control the game.

I’ve been working hard during practice all the time. I’ve been working to transition from wide receiver to quarterback and it just paid off. At receiver, you’re reading defenses and at quarterback you have to read them, too. I wouldn’t say it’s the same exact way, but it’s the same category of reading.

Stats don’t really matter to me. I want to take this team to states. I have to keep doing the little things and work hard in the weight room and on the practice field. I want to take this team to the next level.

I look up to coach Jim Anderson. He’s the defensive backs coach and my track coach. He’s a great man and a great leader. He’s been around me since freshman year, and he teaches everyone how to do things the right way. He makes you want to do well. You don’t really have a choice because you don’t want to make him mad. You want to keep coach Anderson positive.