Montgomery lands national honor

Prior to the season, Sacramento (Calif.) Cordova running back James Montgomery was being talked about as having a chance to finish his high school career as the best running back in the history of the city. With local legends like Onterrio Smith who starred at Grant and Kevin Willhite who also played at Cordova, that task wouldn't be easy but after what Montgomery did this past weekend, he definitely has to be in the conversation.

Montgomery, 5-9, 185 pounds racked up 449 yards on 28 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 42-28 win over a very good El Dorado Hills (Calif.) Oak Ridge team. For his efforts, Montgomery not only earned Cal-Hi State player of the week but national recognition as well as he was honored as the 24 Hour Fitness National Player of the Week.

The 449 yards set a Sacramento area record and put him 17th on the all time single game rushing list. What made the performance even more impressive was the fact that it came against a quality team and a moderate number of carries. Oak Ridge has won the last three Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II championships.

"That's one of the best high school performances I've seen against a good high school team," Cordova head coach Max Miller said. "That wasn't a team that gets beat 60, 70 to nothing every week."

Montgomery rushed for 1,910 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior including nine in one game which was tied for third most in state history. In eight games this year, the Washington commit has rushed for 1,713 yards and 27 touchdowns, has one more score receiving and returned two kickoffs for scores.

"Of all the backs we've had here, he's the best," Miller said. "He does it all. He can run, he can block, he can catch the football, and he's a great student."