Editor’s Note: The Dispatch continues its annual look at some of the area’s top players. These features will run daily through the start of the prep football regular season Thursday and Friday.
STARKVILLE — While many accolades will go to teammates, Starkville High School senior Kameron Jones enjoys life on the offensive line.
“Football is a team sport, but there is nothing like the individual battle against another lineman,” Jones said. “That is what makes football fun. If you win your individual battle consistently, it gives your team a chance to win. When everybody is doing their part and the line is working together as a group, football is fun.”
Under the direction of new coach Chris Jones, Starkville is again looking at playing for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship. To achieve offensive success, the Yellow Jackets will look for strong play from an offensive line that is short on size but long on talent.
“Championship teams run the football,” said Jones, who coached Kemper County High to the Class 3A State title last season. “We hope to be a balanced offense. However, you have to be able to run the ball, especially when you have a lead. Our offensive line plays well as a unit. Kameron has done a great job of leading them. He knows our expectations as a team and as a program.”
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Jones has found a home left at left tackle. Finding running room for senior Andreus Swanigan and junior Rodrigues Clark are top priorities for the offensive line.
“We feel like we can win it all this year,” Jones said. “Coach Jones has put in a really good offense. We know the defense is going to play well. They always do. The main thing is
practice. We just have to keep working hard at practice. Coach Jones tells us we have to get better every day, and we believe that.
“If we can improve throughout the season, we can go get that (state championship) gold ball.”
Chris Jones has brought more of a spread offense to the Yellow Jackets. The task is to keep junior quarterback Malik Brown on his feet so he can connect with a talented group of receivers.
“Coach Jones has made a real big impact,” Jones said. “He has a great ability to know where to put everybody. Every player has a role. He motivates and puts you in a position to be successful. He has a lot of energy and passion for what he is doing. You can tell he likes being (at Starkville) because he has some many players to work with.
“Practice is always full of energy. Even when you don’t to be out there, practice is fun. Things are usually slow to start fall practice. Not around here. Everything is up-tempo.”
Chris Jones said he identified Kameron Jones early as a leader. He stressed the importance of leading by example and making the most of a senior season.
Jones took that message to heart. He worked on his game in the summer at a series of showcases.
“The main thing I worked on was becoming a better leader,” Jones said. “I spent a lot of time in the weight room trying to get stronger. The line is the nastiest place to be. The main thing for this team is to work hard. You have to grind every day. You have to pay attention to the little things. We didn’t pay attention to detail last season.
“The senior class isn’t going to let that happen this season. We know we have a good enough team to play for a championship.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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