How 'electric' Mason James showed Norman North’s resilience in win over Edmond Santa Fe
EDMOND — Mason James saw the gap and made something happen.
For a good chance of a comeback win against Edmond Santa Fe’s football team, Norman North had to go for it on fourth down. So, the Timberwolves trusted James, who threaded a path between several Santa Fe defenders to cross the goal line and tie the game in the fourth quarter.
“My linemen and my receivers had really good blocking right there,” James said. “And I made a quick move and got in the end zone.”
Edmond Santa Fe’s early momentum evaporated as Norman North claimed a gritty 31-28 road victory on Friday night. After opening the season with a 21-0 romp over crosstown rival Norman, the Timberwolves proved they could also withstand the test of a close matchup against a Santa Fe team that recently downed Tulsa powerhouse Jenks.
The tide turned toward the fifth-ranked Timberwolves in the fourth quarter, when they outscored the fourth-ranked Wolves 10-0. Reece Crandall nailed the 27-yard field goal that gave Norman North its final advantage. The defense adjusted to Santa Fe star Demarius Robinson’s explosive run game.
And James stepped in wherever the Timberwolves (2-0) needed him.
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“He’s a sophomore still and played as a freshman for us,” said Norman North coach Justin Jones, “but has a ton on his plate. He’s got to understand the offense from a receiver perspective, and then we put in some of the wildcat stuff with him just because he’s electric with the ball in his hands.”
James didn’t need gaudy statistics to make a major impact. He just thrived as a steady presence for the Timberwolves, finishing with nine carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns along with seven receptions for 42 yards.
In the second quarter, James rushed for a 10-yard touchdown and then attempted a two-point conversion. The ensuing fumble could have derailed the play, but the sophomore simply picked up the ball and spurted into the end zone, cutting the Wolves’ lead to 21-14.
Norman North needed this type of quick resilience to win.
“What I told them at halftime is just, ‘We can find our way back,’” Jones said. “‘Just keep swinging and keep doing your job,’ and that’s something that we repeat in our program all the time.”
After Santa Fe (1-1) extended its lead to 28-14 with Robinson’s third touchdown, the Timberwolves took control. Junior quarterback Owen Eshelman provided a jolt of energy with a deep pass to senior receiver Zain Prater, who hauled it in for a 52-yard third-quarter touchdown.
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Then James added the tying 16-yard touchdown run with 8:59 left, setting the stage for Crandall’s difference-making field goal.
James competed with the poise of an upperclassman, but he has more varsity experience than a typical sophomore. Instead of playing on the freshman team, the Timberwolves promoted James, a former quarterback, to the varsity level as a defensive back last season.
This year, missing the offensive potency of graduates Kamden Sixkiller and Chapman McKown, the Timberwolves needed James to take on a new role.
His versatility gives an air of mystery to Norman North’s offense. Opponents have to account for the possibilities of James catching a pass from Eshelman or taking a direct snap and running with the ball.
“I love it,” James said. “I just love seeing my team happy. I just love seeing points on the board, so whatever we can do to get points on the board, I think that’s what I’ll do.”
Hallie Hart covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Hallie? She can be reached at hhart@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @halliehart. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Hallie's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football: Norman North beats Edmond Santa Fe
