INLAND FIELDHOUSE

Take a closer look at Fontana Jurupa Hills junior Jordan Napier and you’ll see a player that went through a big change so now he can do a little bit of everything.

Having grown two inches and gained 20-to-25 pounds since the Spring Season, Napier brings the punch – and the breakaway speed – for the Spartans (2-0 overall), who remain unbeaten after a win on Friday, Sept. 3.

The 6-foot-2 slot back/receiver rushed for touchdowns of 5 and 17 yards in the first quarter against Chino Hills, and then added touchdown receptions of 14 and 20 yards in a showcase game against a Baseline League opponent. He also made a handful of tackles and assisted on several others on defense.

Napier is a one-move-and-go type player who just needs the ball in the his hands before he turns and can beat even the speediest defensive backs to the pylon.

We caught up with Napier after Jurupa Hills 37-17 victory over Chino Hills. He had more than 115 total yards and four touchdowns as the Spartans led from start to finish.

InlandFieldhouse.com: How you feeling after that four-touchdown performance?
Jordan Napier: “Right now? Offensive performance? Outstanding – I’m not going to lie to you. Defense? I had a (pass-interference penalty). I have to clean that up a little more, but overall we did good as a team.”

IF: Does a win over a Baseline League team mean anything to Jurupa Hills?
JN: “Yeah, this means a lot as a team because was weren’t going to play this game because of COVID protocols, and we only had one day of practice, but we try to not use that as an excuse and come out here and do what we do. We came out here and we got the ‘dub’.”

IF: Eyeballs are starting to turn toward Jurupa Hills. How do you think this team is going to handle that?
JN: “That’s what we want. That’s exactly what we want. We’re trying to put Jurupa Hills on the map.”

IF: How do you turn this positive momentum into a more successful season?
JN: “No excuses. Try to have no excuses. We like being the underdog and we like being under pressure. That makes us play better.”

IF: Obviously, the team wants to put a banner up but what are some of your individual goals for this season?
JN: “Me? I’m trying to get league MVP, and I’m trying to get 2-3 more offers by the end of the school year.”