2011 James Hartley
Tail Back
5’10″ 220
High School Coach: Chris Gilliam
High School: Birch Run, B
College: Albion College
James is the son of Jim and Tammie Hartley. He has a younger sister Sarah (16). Who is a junior at Birch Run High School.
James began his football career at the age of eight through a local football organization, called P.F.Y (Parents for Youth). This is where James developed his love and passion for the game of football. His freshman year he was moved up to JV and was named captain. His sophomore year he was brought up to varsity to play fullback and linebacker and was the first ever sophomore to be elected captain in Birch Run football history. During his junior year James’ coaches decided to move him to running back and that’s where he stayed for the next two years. Throughout his first season of playing running back he ran for 1743 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was voted 1st team all conference, 1st team all area, and honorable mention all state by the Detroit Free Press. His senior year he was named varsity captain for the third time, (first time that has happened in Birch Run football history), he also ran the ball 299 times for 2448 yards and 28 touchdowns. James’ performances earned him First Team All Conference, First Team All Area, First Team All State, Dream Team Running Back for the Saginaw News and the Flint Journal, and he was awarded the Old Spice Player of the Year.
Throughout James’ three years on varsity he was able to break several school records: Most yards in a game (327), yards in a season (2448), yards in a career (4519), carries in a game (42), carries in a season (299) and touchdowns in a season (28)
James also was a four-year letter winner in wrestling, where the team won districts three times and the Tn-Valley Conference this year. He also participated in varsity track his final three years.
James said, “I am very grateful to have been blessed with a supportive family, I would not be the person I am today with out them. I also thank the entire Birch Run football program but most importantly Chris Gilliam, Gary Gilliam, and Joe Birkmeier, – You guys have not only shaped me as a football player but as a man and I am forever grateful for what you have done for me. I also thank my teammates for a great year – you guys are the best and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anybody else than you guys.”
James will continue his football career playing for Albion College pursuing a career in education.
Awards
All Conference 1st Team Running Back, 09 & 10
All Area 1st Team Running Back, Saginaw News, 09
Dream Team Running Back, Saginaw News, 2010
All Metro Team Running Back, Flint Journal, 2010
All State Honorable Mention Running Back, 2009
All State 1st Team Running Back, 2010
Old Spice Red Zone Player Of The Year, 2010