thedailytimes
Will Jones admits he was thrown into the fire when he first started for Maryville football.
He began starting for the Rebels as a freshman, and now hes preparing for his senior season a third-straight season entering as the full-time starter after getting his first action late in his freshman season.
I was just propelled in there probably wasnt ready at the time, Jones said at KFOA Media Day.
It was a great learning experience for me.
I got so much better because of it, and now, for three or four years, the game has slowed down for me.
Just getting bigger physically and just working on the little things have propelled me to have a really good senior season.
I grew up watching my brothers play at Maryville, dreaming to play quarterback for Maryville High School, and now Im getting to do it in my final year.
Its really a dream come true to play for Maryville and have a community that supports everybody.
Just really excited about this year and this group of guys.
Jones is coming off a standout season where the Rebels went 11-2 and bowed out in the Class 6A Quarterfinals at Blackman.
Jones completed 172-of-218 passes for 2,558 yards and 33 touchdowns while tossing just six interceptions.
Jones also ran for 407 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 carries.
Weve got four really solid receivers Colton Foust, Julian Douglas, Cavon Carter and then Ethan Farhat, from Farragut.
Its an exciting group.
We got the pieces to the puzzle.
To be explosive, we just have to put in the work every day and really get after these next kinda few weeks before it really ramps up.
Jones personal success has been no question during his time at Maryville he was a Mr.
Football semifinalist as a junior but the goal remains to lift a golden ball at the end of the season.
The Rebels havent been back to a state championship since 2019, when they defeated Ravenwood to finish 15-0, and the 17-time champions are looking to return to the top of high school football.
I dont know what the outside narrative is, but the standard hasnt changed at Maryville, Jones said.
Its still the same.
Theres no reason we shouldnt be a top contender in 6A, and were going to put the work in to do it.
We want to play 15 weeks.
Thats what it is.
I grew up watching Maryville win state titles all the time, and now we got to be the team to bring it back.
College commitment in the rearview Jones announced his commitment to Jacksonville State on May 31, officially putting an end to his recruitment.
Jones, who ranked as a three-star prospect and the No.
1768 prospect nationally by 247Sports, followed in his dads and brothers footsteps by continuing his career in college.
It was stressful, honestly, Jones said.
Its smoke and mirrors.
You really dont know whats going to happen one week or the next, and Jax State really made me feel good about myself, and they were kind of the first to hop on board and say that, Hey, we want you.
Kind of like Maryville, Jacksonvilles a small town.
Football matters down there, and the coaches do it the right way.
It just really felt like home, and now that I have that over with, I can kind of focus on the high school season and be all in with my guys.