and it’s definitely just helping me.” Jones showed what he’s capable of during a game against an Alabama team that, at the time, was unbeaten and ranked number one. After an inspired effort in a loss to top-ranked Alabama, Jones completed 21-of-27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Tennessee, and he was named the Southeastern Conference player of the week.
EMORY JONES
Jones also led Florida in rushing in that game with 144 yards on 15 attempts.
By Kevin Eckleberry
Former Heard County Brave Emory Jones waited his turn, playing sparingly during his first three seasons as a quarterback for the Florida Gators. That patience, and commitment to the program, has paid off this season, with Jones taking over as the Gators’ starting quarterback, although he has shared time with talented freshman Anthony Richardson. Shane Lasseter, who is in his first season as Heard County’s head coach and was a longtime assistant coach on the team before that, knows the temptation was there for Jones to leave the program.
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“In today’s world, commitment is not appreciated,” Lasseter said. “He could have, at any time, left, and he had people trying to tell him to do that. He made a commitment to that school, and to coach (Dan) Mullen, and he stayed the course. I hope he has a great year, because he deserves it.”
first to Feleipe Franks, and then to Kyle Trask. Jones played in 24 games during his first three seasons at Florida and had more than 1,000 yards combined rushing and passing, but he has never been the featured quarterback until this year.
“It has been hard, but it’s all been for a reason,” Jones said Jones, who grew up in Lain an Associated Press story Grange and attended Heard before the season. “That’s High, was one of the state’s what I’ve realized over the most highly recruited players during his time in high school. past years. I have been playing a little bit, so that keeps me going. I’ve just been watching Jones, despite his lofty status the guys in front of me do their as a blue-chip recruit, was a backup the past three seasons, best and watching how they move and how they operate
Jones became just the second player in Florida history to have more than 200 passing yards and more than 100 rushing yards in one game. Even when things haven’t gone well, like when he threw three interceptions in a road loss to LSU, Jones has continued to be the consummate teammate, and he was supportive of Anthony Richardson when he took over as quarterback in that game. After getting benched against LSU, Jones entered the game in the second half after Richardson was injured and threw a touchdown pass that at the time pulled Florida even. While Jones has settled into
the University of Florida community, his ties to Heard County remain deep. How much the school means to him was evident this summer when Jones, despite being pressed for time, participated in a youth football camp at Heard County on July 3. “He participated in something that morning, drove up here, did the camp, and drove back,” Lasseter said. “That was awesome. His role is completely different this year. There’s a lot of people leaning on him, pulling him in a million different directions. That was special for him to come.”
of all those guys.” As for Jones, whatever his role his moving forward, Lasseter is confident his former player will be up to the challenge. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he can handle it,” Lasseter said.
It has been hard, but it’s all been for a reason.”
Jones was one of a handful of former Heard County players who participated in the camp. One of those players is Aaron Beasley, a junior linebacker at Tennessee, and he and Jones faced off on Sept. 25. Another player at the camp was Heard County graduate Chief Borders, who is a freshman linebacker at Florida. After the camp, Jones, Beasley, Borders and the other former Braves had supper together in the field house, and they got to spend some time together and reminisce about old times. “That was awesome for them to get to hang out and have fun,” Lasseter said. “We’re real proud
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