CHERRY TWP — James Shope pulls no punches.

During the first half of the season, the Moniteau junior running back admits he was awful.

"The first few games, I stunk," Shope said. "I was bad. I wasn't focused."

The numbers bore that out.

After a season-opening 99-yard effort against Clarion, Shope gained a pedestrian 147 yards in his next four games.

It got so bad for Shope that he was sent to play in two junior varsity games "to get his mojo back," Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell said.

Shope got it back, and then some. Only Austin Powers has more mojo these days.

During the last five weeks, he has been one slippery Shope.

"I have a chip on my shoulder," said Shope, who has strung together five consecutive 100-yard games. During that span, he has gained 752 yards on 80 carries and has scored 11 touchdowns.

"I have something to prove," the 5-foot-10, 170-pound back added. "People were saying that this running back was better than me, that running back is better, blah, blah, blah. I want to show everyone I can run well and I can be the best I can be."

Part of Shope's struggles at the start of the season was his unfamiliarity with running behind a fullback.

Last year, Moniteau ran the spread offense most of the time and Shope was free to run wherever there was an opening.

That approach didn't work so well in the Warriors' more structured offense this season. He found himself trying to break every run outside and paid the price

Finally, after a junior varsity game against A-C Valley, the light clicked on for Shope.

Now, Moniteau's opponents are paying for it.

"I have a lot less on my mind now," Shope said. "I've got my rhythm back."

Shope has molded himself into a dangerous inside runner. That transition wasn't easy, he said, but was worth the effort.

Shope is now just as likely to run over a defender as he is to prance around him. He's adept at both.

"He really set the tone on the first play of practice (Monday)," Campbell said. "He ran over two or three people over. Ricky Best came back to the huddle and said, 'Man, he is hard to tackle.'

"He's taken it to another level. He really has."

Shope gets fewer opportunities to hit people and juke than other top running backs. That's because the Warriors' offense is so star-studded and diverse.

So, Shope makes the most of his chances and doesn't complain if he doesn't see the ball as much as he would like.

"Obviously, I'd love to get the ball more, but I'm a team player," Shope said. "Whatever it takes to win, I'll do it for the team."

Shope will prove that this week against Brookville when he will line up at quarterback.

With Tyler Armagost out with a bruised muscle in his lower back, Campbell experimented with Shope under center in practice Tuesday with positive results.

Shope was impressive enough, not only running the option but also with his arm, to earn the nod.

"I'm hoping Brookville will underestimate him passing the ball," Campbell said. "He threw a couple of beautiful long passes (Tuesday night). His poise really surprised me."

Shope, though, has shown that others would be foolish to overlook him.

"Pound for pound, there are few out there tougher," Campbell said.