Jamario Norton voted Player of the Week for Week One

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds voted and Jamario Norton of Whiteville High School was named the Week One 5th Quarter Player of the Week.

“It feels good,” Norton said. “It really feels good. I’ve never been voted for any of this. It feels good to see the community come together and vote for a player like me to represent the community of Whiteville.”

In the opening game of his senior season, Norton rushed for 195 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns in the 29-6 victory over North Brunswick. He knew he needed to play a big role to grab the win.

“My mindset was just to come out and start the season off right,” Norton said. “That was our first time going 1-0 in three years so that was my mindset.”

His mindset wasn’t always set on football. Norton says he spent time in and out of trouble. But two years ago, Whiteville Coach Luke Little noticed his skill set before he even stepped on the football field.

“Tenth grade year I was playing basketball in the gym and he saw how fast I was,” Norton said. “He was like, ‘you should come out here and play football for the Whiteville football team.’ So I took that chance, and now I have a starting spot.”

Norton has earned that starting spot over the past two years starting for Whiteville at running back. And he says it’s the perfect position for him.

“I always looked up to Chris Johnson, he played running back for the Tennessee Titans when I was younger,” Norton said. “But I like his run style, his running ability. He’s very fast, he’s quick and explosive and knows how to bounce off tackles and I look up to that.”

Now Norton takes what he sees from CJ2K and puts it into his own game.

“Every play I play like it’s my last play,” Norton said. “When I see the hole, I take one cut and keep it going that way.”

Congratulations to you Jamario for being the 5th Quarter Player of the Week.

You can vote for the Player of the Week on Twitter by visiting @WWAYSports following the 5th Quarter Friday night at 11 on WWAY.