Jones' dual-threat performance leads Maryville football to dominant win

Will Jones did not need perfect conditions to make an impact on Friday night. The Maryville gunslinger completed 13 of 19 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns despite the rain, leading the Rebels to a 42-7 win over Science Hill. He also toted the ball six times, adding 83 yards and another score in the victory. 'We knew it was going to rain,' Jones said. 'Before the game, it was perfect out. When it started, we just kind of had to adjust to it and go play. It was kind of like we were playing a backyard football game like we were a little kid, so we were pumped up.'Despite the solid performance, his Friday night got off to a shaky start in the elements. The senior completed one of his two passes for six yards in the first quarter, then threw an interception in Science Hill's territory to start the second. 'It just slipped right out of my hands,' Jones said. 'Should have controlled it a little more, got a new ball or something. But I can't make excuses, got to bounce back.' 'The rain is a part of the game, so just playing through it, trying to play normal as much as you can,' wide receiver Foust said. 'And then on that play, it's a choice play, and he was in man, so just ran by him. Will trusted it and was able to get it out even with the elements for the strike.' Maryville's defense shut down the Hilltoppers on the ensuing drive, getting the ball back with a minute to go before halftime. And that's when Jones flashed the dual-threat ability. He rushed for a season-high 65 yards on one drive, besting his next highest game by 14. He accounted for all the yardage of the drive, capping it off with a 12-yard rush where he took it left and cut back for a 21-0 lead at halftime. 'Will has so much confidence and was able to come out in the rain and still throw it some and then make plays with his legs to get us down there and give us a chance to score,' Cobble said. 'And I thought our guys caught it well tonight in the rain.' With 73 passing yards at the midway point of the game, Jones' night still wasn't over. He orchestrated a 13-play, 87-yard drive, including a 4th-and-8 conversion where he ran 15 yards backwards before finding a slipping Rhys Garder for 13 yards. 'I kind of got flushed out of the pocket, and I knew it was fourth down, so I was going to try to make a play,' he said. 'I flushed out, and then Gardner, he's always in the right place at the right time, slipped and still found a way to catch it. That's just kind of how the night went.' Four plays later, he scanned the field and found a wide-open Hayes Davis for a 35-0 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter. The senior didn't need to throw a pass in the final quarter, as a pick-six and an 8:36 drive by Science Hill essentially ended the game. He tossed for 165 yards, tying a season-low, but still led his team to victory. 'Each week we've gotten extremely better, and our mindset is taking it week-by-week and getting better each week,' Jones said. 'Then by week 15, hopefully, we want to be the best team we can be. So, we'll watch the film on Monday and have a great week of prep.' Next week, the Rebels travel to Bradley Central. The Bears are a lackluster 4-4 this season, and the Rebels have beaten them by five scores in both of the last two seasons. Jones completed 9 of his 12 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns against them last season. 'They're always well coached,' he said. 'It'll be tough to make the trip down there and play in the Bear Den. But another great opponent, and we've just got to work on ourselves.'