JONES LONGHORNS
Coach: KEVIN WITT
11-3
OFFENSE
It’s a great day to be a Longhorn. Jones is poised for another excellent season under head coach Kevin Witt who went 11-3 last season. “We look forward to the upcoming season. Our coaches and players have high standards for our team. We fully expect to compete for a district championship in an extremely talented district and have a successful playoff run,” said Witt. The spread offense with multiple sets is guided by quarterback Acyn Hansen (6-0, 175, Jr.) who rushed for 308 yards last season. Hansen will look for Riley Ellefson (6-6, 225, Sr.) at tight end and Chace Pitts (5-11, 165, Sr.) at wide receiver. Ellefson made 16 receptions for 168 yards last year, while Pitts caught 35 passes for 486 yards. Creighton Jones (6-5, 195, Sr.) is a two-year starter on defense and will make the move to WR this season for the Longhorns giving Hansen another target in the passing game. Hunter Purvis (6-1, 160, So.) was injured as a freshman, but returns at the running back position and should see plenty of carries this year. Jack Mendoza (6-3, 285, Jr.) returns as the top lineman for the Longhorns. Mendoza graded out at 89 percent last year. Evan Collier is an all-heart type player who will start at inside receiver in the offense. There are a few holes to fill up front, but coach Witt is confident in his guys and believes they will be a contender again this season.
DEFENSE
Six starters are back on defense including Mason Templeton (5-10, 180, Sr.) in the secondary where he made 72 tackles with six tackles for loss. Templeton plays an aggressive brand of football, perfectly suited for what the defense is trying to accomplish. Luke DeBusk (6-1, 235, Jr.) is a thumper at linebacker. DeBusk accounted for 141 tackles and will likely see elevated activity on the recruiting front. Tres Sturdivan (6-0, 185, Sr.) gets his first starting job on defense and will join DeBusk at linebacker giving the group a fast and determined player pursuing the ball. Cruse Cranford (5-8, 190, Sr.) made 36 tackles and four TFLs last season from his defensive end spot. Kaleb Chapple (6-3, 230, Sr.) gets a lot of attention in the middle of the defensive line. Chapple made 46 tackles and six TFLs last year. He’s joined in the middle by Aahmad Kirby (6-1, 235, Sr.) who recorded 74 tackles and three TFLs as a junior. Jose Rojas (Jr.) will handle the kicking duties and play corner on defense. Also look for Drew Thomas (So.) to find his way to the field this season and according to coach Witt, Thomas is talented enough to help the team on both sides of the ball. The coaching staff consists of Ted Dorrell, Collin Steverson, Nick Warehime, Ricky Oliver, Tim Grantham, Denton Miller, JD Marinko, Nick Vandever, Kanan Hansen, Austin Neasbitt, and Jamarlin Jones.
8-29 – vs. Luther
9-6 – at Kiefer
9-13 – vs. Bethany
9-27 – vs. Perry
10-4 – at Millwood
10-11 – vs. Crooked Oak
10-17 – at Chisholm
10-25 – at Mount St. Mary
11-1 – vs. OCS
11-8 – at Blackwell
