Cam Sampson of North Quincy returns to football after back injury

QUINCY – While his teammates were pushing themselves to the limit in the weight room this summer, Cameron Sampson's offseason workout began with cautiously walking up and down the stairs at home.

One step at a time eventually turned into a slow trot through his neighborhood and then a run on the beach.

It all culminated in a bet with little chance of success that the captain of the North Quincy High School football team would one day run routes again.

A back injury sustained last year in a gang tackle during a game against Scituate on Oct. 20, 2023, put Sampson's ability to walk again in serious doubt. He was treated at Boston Children's Hospital and had to watch the Raiders' victory over cross-town rival Quincy on Thanksgiving, as well as his junior lacrosse season, from the sidelines.