Parkview's Jointer back rushing to greatness

Little Rock Parkview running back James Jointer (1) tries to avoid a tackle by Marion linebacker Antonio Grays during a game Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

— Although Little Rock Parkview’s big Class 6A showdown at Greenwood on Friday was wiped out by covid-19, it can’t take away the joy junior tailback and Arkansas recruiting target James Jointer has about being back on the football field.

Jointer (6-0, 205, 4.46), who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last year in Week 3, has helped lead the Patriots to a 3-0 start this season, and he has rushed 40 times for 264 yards and two touchdowns so far.

“It feels so good to be back and I feel better than I did before the injury,” Jointer said. “I think I missed being around my teammates more than anything. I could only watch them instead of being out there helping us win. I just really missed being around the game of football and I know how much I love it now.”

Jointer has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Missouri, Kansas, Memphis, Virginia Tech, Alabama-Birmingham, North Texas, Texas San-Antonio, Louisiana Tech, Colorado State and New Mexico.

“It is always a blessing to be able to talk to the different colleges and coaches,” Jointer said. “I am happy about that, but I try to stay as humble about that as possible and just keep working to get better.”

He is pleased with the way new Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his staff has been recruiting him.

“I really like all those guys,” Jointer said. “I know this year might not go as well as they would have planned, but by the time I get ready to graduate or even maybe next year they will have it rolling up there and what a lot of people in Arkansas want to see and that’s them winning again. I believe they are the right staff to get it done.”

Jointer is of six Parkview players who have Division I offers with senior quarterback Landon Rogers (6-5, 215) and tight end Eric Outley (6-4, 256) having committed to Arkansas.


Rogers is 29-of-48 passing for 349 yards and a touchdown and has also rushed 37 times for 281 yards and seven touchdowns.

Outley, who missed last week’ 28-13 win over Pine Bluff with a minor injury suffered the week before, had two catches for 90 yards and a score.

Sophomore tailback Willie Eackles (5-11, 175), senior linebacker Montavious Goins (6-0, 230) and junior safety Trent Bennett (6-1, 230) have at least one Division I offer as well.

“Willie is definitely a big help and we are actually putting more stuff in where he and I can be on the field at the same time,” Jointer said. “I believe he is already one of the top backs in Arkansas.”

There’s also senior center Jared Summons (6-4, 280), the young brother of former Arkansas basketball star Bobby Portis and someone who is receiving Division I interest.

“We have a lot of talent on our team and it is just a matter of playing together, not making mistakes and continuing to work hard at getting better every day,” Jointer said.

After being idle during the season’s first week, Parkview opened the 2020 campaign with a 49-0 over Little Rock Southwest, a first-year school combining the student bodies of Little Rock Fair and Little Rock McClellan.

The Patriots have since beaten White Hall 41-13 and Pine Bluff 28-13 to match their win total from last season.

“I would say that we still have been having our ups and downs as we still make some mistakes here and there, but our special teams and defense have really made improvements,” Jointer said. “That has given our offense more opportunities to make plays.”