ROCKINGHAM – Jonathan Jones Jr., a senior on the Richmond Senior High School varsity football team, has been named the third Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week for the 2018 fall sports season.
Jones has been a name synonymous with a successful Richmond Raider defense that has limited its opponents to just 27 points over the last four games, including shutouts against Pinecrest and Pine Forest high school. In his second full year at the varsity level, Jones has surfaced to be an integral part of a brutal linebacking corps, and his play in last week’s 31-8 win over Jack Britt High School earned him his first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: Sept. 13, 2001
Year: Senior
Fall Sport: Football
Position: Linebacker
Years on Varsity: 2.5 Years
Height & Weight: 5-10, 210 pounds
Experience: 10 Years
“ON THE BLITZ” WITH JONATHAN JONES
RSHS Academics: While trying to balance the rigor required of being a Raider football player, Jones is enrolled in several classes during his first semester of his senior year. He’s taking American History II, Advanced Functions and Modeling Math, Microsoft Excel and Weight Training with head football coach Bryan Till.
“I really enjoy match because I’ve always been good at it,” Jones said. “And I have Mrs. (Ashleigh) Larsen, who is pretty cool.
Jones is also a regular on Richmond Senior High School’s A/B honor roll, and he currently has a 3.2 GPA.
RSHS Sports: This football season, Jones is part of an exclusive club within the Richmond football program. Last spring, he and 10 of his Raider teammates were chosen by the coaching staff to serve on the Football Leadership Council. The purpose of the group is for the selected players to develop as leaders on and off the field, as well as act as liaisons between the team and the coaches.
“Being on the Leadership Council is important to me because when the team is down, we get together and get them right,” Jones explained. “We try to get the championship mindset right for Fridays. It’s an honor to be one of the 11 guys.”
Jones also joined the Richmond track and field team as a junior last year, competing in the shot put event. When asked why he decided to do so, Jones responded by saying, “I like competing all together — it’s fun, so anything that I can do that’s competitive, I will do it.”
College Aspirations: Jones, like many of his senior classmates, is beginning the process of applying to colleges. He’s interested in playing football at the collegiate level, and noted he’s been working hard to achieve that goal. While he hasn’t received any offers to date, he said he’s got his eyes set on Coastal Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In terms of what he wants to pursue as a major and career, Jones expressed he “wants to try for mechanical engineering,” attributing his love for math for helping him make the decision.
Jonathan Jones (58) strips on of his team-leading four forced fumbles against Pine Forest on Aug. 31.
Athlete of the Week Stats: In Richmond’s game last week against Jack Britt, Jones led the defense in several categories to help the Raiders win their fourth-straight game. Jones racked up 13 total tackles, seven of which were solo grabs, and added six assists on the night, both of which were team-highs. He also defended one pass, nearly picking off an errant Buccaneer throw.
Jones is also the top tackler for the Raiders this season, knocking opponents down an impressive 64 times through six games (10.7 tackles per game). His 38 solo tackles and 26 assists are also the best amongst his teammates. Jones also uses his speed and strength to get into the backfield, as he’s tied with teammate Rasheed Patrick for the team lead in sacks with four. One final statistic that Jones leads Richmond in is caused fumbles, as he’s forced four balls out this season.
“We have really come together as a team,” Jones said of his and the team’s defensive success. “We’re playing as a team, and that gives us a lot of energy. This year we really want to win — those (defensive) guys are my brothers. They help me out and I help them out on the field, and we have a really strong bond.”
RAPID FIRE – FAST RESPONSES
1) What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not on the football field?
“I like to play Madden on my PS4 and Xbox One,” Jones said. “I usually play online with teammates, and I also play Fortnite. Video games are fun, and me and Jordyn Wall play together a lot.”
2) Describe what it’s like playing for Coach Till’s defense.
“It’s fun playing for Coach Till,” Jones shared of his head coach and defensive coordinator. “He brings a lot of the energy we have to the table, and he hypes us up when he feels that we’re not hype enough. Coach Till really knows how to turn us up.”
3) Who is someone who has impacted your life positively such as a mentor, teacher or coach?
“My dad, Jonathan Jones Sr.,” the senior linebacker said. “He motivates me to play the best that I can, and he played for Richmond. He also works out with me sometimes and we run together. My dad just wants me to be a better player.”
4) What is the ultimate goal of this season for the Raider football team?
“We want to get that (state championship) ring,” Jones said. “We’ve got to stay focused and do what we’ve got to do on Friday nights to get it.”
5) Name your favorite memory as a Raider football player.
“My favorite memory was in 10th grade when I was on the junior varsity team,” Jones noted. “I caught an interception against Seventy-First (High School). I didn’t get far with it, but Gavin Russell tipped it and I caught it. It was my first career interception.”
Coach’s Corner: Since Till came on board as Richmond’s head coach and defensive coordinator at the beginning of the 2017 season, he’s not only helped coach Jones on the defensive side of the ball, he’s watched his linebacker mature into a lights-out player and leader.
“Jonathan leads the team in overall tackles, and he had the most tackles against Jack Britt,” Till explained. “He’s filling his gaps so well, and we have so many stones at line of scrimmage because he slides into the gaps as they open up.
“It’s amazing to see because Jonathan doesn’t give the opposition a chance to run,” Till concluded. “He’s really doing so many things well and by example — he’s one of the first guys in the weight room, out at practice or in the film room. I can’t say enough about him, and each week he’s a little bit better.”
