As if there wasn't enough buzz about the grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones making his first start in Texas high school football, Highland Park jiunior John Stephen Jones goes and throws for 325 yards and four touchdowns in a 43-21 victory over Rockwall.
To avoid more pressure than needed, Highland Park coach Randy Allen had made announcing John Stephen as the starter an official game-time decision, but the community and team had been seeing John Stephen operate with the first team after a competition with two other players which began last spring. John Stephen has been a highly anticpated starter since he transferred to Highland Park from ESD as a middle schooler. The son of Stephen Jones, John Stephen is following in his dad's footsteps as a top high school player. Stephen Jones was a high school quarterback before playing at Arkansas. Also a standout in lacrosse, John Stephen had an explosive freshman season for Highland Park's subvarsity before needing shoulder surgery which ended his junior varsity season a year ago.
The Jones family (including Jerry Jones coming off leg surgery) were on hand last spring (photo) as John Stephen competed for the top spot last spring.
Competing in Class 5A, Highland Park's convincing win over Class 6A Rockwall was notable. Highland Park jumped to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter with Jones getting two first-quarter touchcowns. His second pass was a 52-yard completion. Jones leads a talented Highland Park inclduing receiver JT Dooley, whose dad Derek Dooley is a Cowboys assistant. The son of Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan played at Highland Park two years ago.
Jones completed 18-of-22 passes for 325 yards with four touchdowns.
