Heraldnet.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 7:44 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Double Team
Football, football, football!
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Thursday


New Glacier Peak High School dubbed 'pretty rad'
Grim task of investigating Skagit County killings
County Council says it was denied access to budget
Wednesday


On the Kitty Hawk's last watch
Reardon keeping budget secret, some county lead...
Barista flasher charged with exposure; claims r...
Tuesday


Streets around Lake Stevens risky
Mukilteo couple to watch astronaut son blast off
Windows broken at Lynnwood parking lot
Monday


Fair's been quite a ride
Local delegates ready for GOP convention
Initiative targets illegal immigrants
Sunday


Everett lives in Scoop Jackson's shadow
On this weekend 40 years ago, Sultan really rocked
Bank records studied in Christian school sex case
Saturday
McCain's VP pick exciting to conservatives
Bothell road project will let colleges grow
Deputy is found not at fault in chase death
Friday


Local supporters are captivated by Obama's speech
'I thought I was dead,' teen rescued from Three...
More schools in state added to No Child Left Be...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

High Schools   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.)
E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com
Kevin Brown, Sports Editor
kbrown@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Thursday, July 3, 2008

Jones says goodbye to football

A two-sport standout at Snohomish, Derek Jones plays his final football game in tonight's East-West all-star contest, having chosen to pursue only baseball at Washington State University

This is it for Derek Jones.

Having decided his future is in baseball, Jones knows this week will be his final chance to strap on shoulder pads and show his skills on the football field.

It's a bittersweet reality for the two-sport standout who recently graduated from Snohomish High School.

"I'm kind of looking forward to it, but not looking forward to it. I'm sad that it's going to be my last (football) game," said Jones, one of 11 area athletes picked to play for the West team in today's High School All-State Football Summer Classic, also known as the Class 3A/4A East-West All-Star Game.

The annual East-West game kicks off at 7 tonight at Central Valley Stadium in Spokane. About 70 of the state's best Class of 2008 prep gridiron stars are expected to participate. They have been practicing since Sunday.

Jones, a Washington State University baseball recruit, said he considers himself a baseball guy, which makes him extra proud to be selected for an event that features the state's top football talent.

Jones' baseball achievements include leading Snohomish to the 4A state title in May, twice being named The Herald's All-Area Player of the Year and being voted 4A player of the year in the media's all-state poll.

On the football field, Jones (6 feet, 200 pounds) is a running back/linebacker who last fall rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was a captain for Snohomish's squad that went 9-2 and advanced to the state playoffs.

One of Jones' Snohomish teammates, offensive lineman/linebacker Nick Oglesby, is also on the West squad. Oglesby, who will play football for Pacific Lutheran University, was a Snohomish co-captain with Jones.

"It's just kind of cool that we can finish it this way," Jones said.

Two other former teammates looking forward to reuniting are Kyle McCartney and Antoinne Wafer. They helped propel Edmonds-Woodway to the 4A semifinals in November.

"We're really excited to get to play together again because we felt like that last game was tough on us," said McCartney, referring to E-W's season-ending 28-26 loss against Lewis & Clark, which went on to win the state championship.

As members of the West team, McCartney, a quarterback/defensive back, and Wafer, a wide receiver/defensive back, will get another chance to clash with East player Alex Shaw. Shaw (6-2, 218 pounds) rushed for more than 140 yards in Lewis & Clark's semifinal victory over E-W.

"I know he's definitely a great back and it will be fun to go against him again," said McCartney, who next month will join the Washington State football team as an invited walk-on.

Getting picked to play in the East-West game is a big honor, McCartney said. It's also a long-awaited chance to put pads on again and knock people around.

"It will be good to get back in the swing of things," said McCartney.

The West team's head coach is Bothell's Tom Bainter, who has guided the Cougars to two consecutive 4A runnerup finishes. One of his West assistants is Tom Tri, head coach at Lake Stevens.

It is Tri's first time coaching in the East-West game. The main challenge, he said, is to get all the highly skilled athletes and big linemen to mesh together. It requires a lot of attention to detail, he said, especially since the teams have just four days to prepare.

It's a fun opportunity to work with the best kids from around the state and see how they progress throughout the week, Tri said.

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.

1. Boeing Machinists vote to strike; union leaders say wait
2. Grim task of investigating Skagit County killings
3. 2 Lake Stevens schools in lockdown
4. Marysville-Pilchuck out of lockdown; man arrested nearby
5. New Glacier Peak High School dubbed 'pretty rad'
6. Boeing Machinists’ strike deferred
7. County Council says it was denied access to budget
8. Lockdown lifted at Lake Stevens schools
9. Don't miss out on settlement's payout
10. Couple's roadside lunch interrupted by attempted burglary
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Bringing the world to Edmonds
FEMA turns to media to improve public image
Annexation's frustrations
A run for Charlotte
Annexation's frustrations
Minimalist food bars have local flavor
E-W aims for fifth straight league title
Wildcats moving forward
Terrace approves stormwater rate hike
The Enterprise Online Newspaper

TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes


ADVERTISEMENT