Class 2012: Jarvis James runs into Saskatchewan with a desire to compete(Video)

The road hasn’t been smooth, but Jarvis James has stuck with his desire to play the game he loves. Now that road is leading him to Saskatchewan.

Jarvis James

Position:

Tailback/Kick Returner

Height & Weight:

5’8, 180 lbs

Teams:

Bishop O’Byrne High School
Calgary Bulldogs (Bantam-Midget)
2009 Team Alberta (Hawaii)
2008 Alberta Bantam Bowl (Team South)
2008 Calgary Selects
Calgary Colts (Pee Wee)

Commitment:

University of Saskatchewan

Class:

2012

This path started back in Pee Wee football for Jarvis with the Colts organization. In his first year of football things didn’t go quite as he had hoped. Due to the fact he was new to the game he was forced to learn, and so did not get to start like he had wanted. That changed in his second year of football. He was named team captain and starting tailback for the Colts. That season went pretty well for Jarvis, finishing with 28 touchdowns and the title of team MVP.

Following that season Jarvis hit his first bend in the road with an unexpected change of teams. Not only did he move up a level from Pee Wee to Bantam, but he also moved houses. With the new house came a new team territory, and therefore a new team. Jarvis went from being a Colt to being a Bulldog. His first year of Bantam was much like his first year of Pee Wee. It wasn’t until his second season with the Bulldogs that he was named starting tailback. That year was a bit of a breakout year for Jarvis. The Bulldogs won the division one city championship behind his strong running and he won a few titles himself. He was awarded League MVP, Play-off MVP, Team MVP and was also named to the Bantam All-stars and Alberta Selects teams. The same year Jarvis made the South Alberta team for the Bantam Bowl. In one of his first games competing against the province’s best Jarvis showed that he belonged. He helped the South win the game, and was named game MVP for his efforts.

Jarvis then moved up to Midget, the final league of minor football in Calgary. Like most players, Jarvis spent his first season of Midget football as a back-up. That year he entered high school and captained the Bishop O’Byrne junior team to a division one city championship and was named Offensive MVP of the team.

Along with his second season of Midget football came another bend in the road. The season started out well, with Jarvis being named starting tailback for the Bulldogs. However when he tried out for the U18 team mid-season he suffered a season ending injury. His team went on to make the city final game, where they lost to the Calgary Hilltoppers. Although he did not finish the season Jarvis was still named to the Midget All-stars.

The following year was not an easy one. It was a struggle to recover from the injury and to regain the confidence required to play this game. Once he had regained full strength Jarvis decided to try out for the U18 team again. He got cut and this did not sit well with him. What some might have taken as another hit Jarvis used as motivation.

“After that final cut I thought I had something to prove to Alberta, that they had made the wrong decision in cutting me.”

His next year of football definitely proved something, Jarvis James was back. He was named a captain for the Bulldogs and helped them win the division one city championship against the Colts and once again made Midget All-stars. He then went on to play his final season of high school football, and what a final season it was. He captained Bishop O’Byrne to it’s first ever division one city championship, and in the process defeated the two time reigning champion Notre Dame Pride. Jarvis was named team MVP and a Division One All-star.

With so many memorable moments along this journey there is still one more that stands above the others to Jarvis.

“My most memorable football experience was going to Hawaii with Team Alberta. It was my most memorable because I got to go to Hawaii, which was a place I had always wanted to go to. We got to go on the beaches, and do activities like snorkelling and fishing. I also got to play football, the game I love, and see the level that U.S football is played at. We played the Hawaiian high school team and I got the game ball,” says James.

When asked what he loves about this game Jarvis couldn’t say enough.

“There are so many things that I love about this game. I love that the game is so high speed and physical. I love how this game teaches that in everything you do you need to do your best and never give up. I love how it teaches you that what is done is in the past, you need to move on and look to the future. I also love how competitive football is, it kind of teaches you how society works. If you can’t get the job done someone else will step in and do it.”

It is obvious that it is not only Jarvis’s physical ability that has made him successful. His desire, love for the game, and work ethic have all helped get him to where he is today. So has his father.

“The most influential person in my life and football has to be my dad. He always pushes me to work hard and he is just a good person. He knows what needs to be done and how it needs to be done and that has rubbed off on me… He believes that education always comes first and has helped me so that I can get the grades I need,” says Jarvis.

“Another major influence on my football career has been my trainer Joey Kwasniewski of King Football. He has helped me improve my strength, speed, get better testing results, and has helped me be a better all-around athlete. He pushes me physically and mentally and has helped prepare me for university football. I owe a lot of credit to Joey and my father for where I am today,” he says.

Where he is today isn’t the only topic of discussion. Where he wants to be tomorrow is important as well. Jarvis just finished his final season of high school football and has committed to play football at the University of Saskatchewan. For the coming years in Saskatoon Jarvis has a few major goals in mind.

“I always want to be the best I can at whatever I do. I want to live a comfortable life after football is done, without any financial worry. So I plan to take engineering in university. As for football, my team goal is the same as everyone’s, win the Vanier Cup at any cost. Personally I want to be the leading rusher every year I start for the Huskies. I also want to play in the Shrine Bowl and play on Team World, and win.”