Kolby Jones now UCHS program's career passing leader

Quarterback Kolby Jones was recognized prior to Unicoi County's 55-22 home win against Johnson County on Friday night for breaking Brock Thompson's record as the program's career passing leader. Jones has passed for more than 5,200 career yards and 63 touchdowns. But his most important statistic is his record. The Blue Devils are 24-7 overall and 12-3 in Region 1-3A since Jones took the wheel. "He's a tremendous leader and he has great instincts," Unicoi County head coach Drew Rice said. If Jones was distracted by the pregame hoopla, you wouldn't have known. He passed for three touchdowns – in the opening quarter and a half. "Getting recognized before the game is just a feeling you won't forget," Jones said. "This community, team and coaching staff have always been behind me, and I couldn't have done any of this without them." Jones can do a lot on his own, extending plays with his mobility. He victimizes defenses with his arm or his feet. "He's a dual threat," Johnson County coach Tyler Trusler said, "and that makes it tough." Jones is also an exceptional high school basketball and baseball player. He'll receive college offers for baseball and football, and if he receives the right offer early enough, it'll increase his chances of returning to the Blue Devils basketball team after not playing his junior season. "In our bigger games the last two years he's played safety," Rice said. "He's very physical, has great instincts and covers well. He's just an athlete in every sense." Effective field generals have a sixth sense at quarterback, and that was evident when Jones engineered a comeback victory in his sophomore debut. "I think he's got two interceptions all year," Rice said, "and as much as we've thrown it, that's saying something." Outside the lines, Jones always appears to be polite and unassuming. "He's extremely humble," Rice said. "He's the first to always give his teammates credit – the offensive line, receivers, running backs. He's everything you want in a quarterback and in a leader." Jones has frequently commended Rice and his coaching staff over the past three seasons. And he's determined to prolong his time with them as long as possible. The Blue Devils will open in the TSSAA playoffs at home against Sweetwater on Friday at 7 p.m. "Coach Rice has been a blessing to play for," Jones said. "So going out there every night and being a leader of his team is just a different feeling. I'm super happy of where we are at right now and I really think, especially offensively, we are hitting in stride at the right time. I can't wait to keep this ride going." Jones wasn't the only senior to shine on Friday. Dillon Sifford and fellow senior offensive linemen Dalton Cerezo, Jaxson Treadway and Karson Buchanan helped pave the way for some 200 rushing yards against Johnson County. Better yet, Sifford lined up in the backfield, took a handoff from Jones and powered through defenders for a 1-yard TD run that gave the Blue Devils a 42-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first half. Sifford is agile and nowhere near 300-plus pounds, but former Chicago Bears lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry came to mind when Sifford plowed into the end zone. "We've repped it and just hadn't had a great time to run it," Rice said. "Dillon's a special kid and a special player and a special leader. If any lineman ever deserved to get a touchdown, it's him." Senior middle linebacker/fullback and H-back Brady Simmons also scored a touchdown on a play-action pass from Jones. Simmons took a mean shot from hard-hitting Jack Csillag as he crossed the goal line. "He did, but he held on to it there," Rice said. "They were just flowing so hard to everything, and we wanted to get him one if we could there (via play-action). … Brady's had a great career." Despite the loss of Jones, four offensive linemen and multi-year starters such as Simmons, the cupboard won't be bare next season. Junior Avery Hatcher caught two TD passes on Friday, pushing his season total to 12. Hatcher needs 85 yards receiving (unofficially) to reach 1,000 on the season. He has 48 receptions. "Avery's really had an unbelievable year," Rice said. "I think his route running is what makes him so tough to defend. He's extremely surehanded. "Kolby has a lot of trust in him, obviously, and understandably so. He's as good of a route runner as I've ever had." Junior running back Blaze Rice has over 1,100 yards rushing on the season. He rushed for three TDs on Friday night, giving him 18 rushing touchdowns in the season. Rice has also caught a TD pass. "Avery and Blaze both have been balling all year," Jones said. "They both have the speed and elusiveness to make things happen. I know that if I can just get them the ball something big is gonna happen." Yet another junior, Nehemiah Campbell, is what Rice has called one of the two or three best pure football players on the team. Campbell sustained a broken collarbone in an Aug. 1 scrimmage at Cocke County and didn't play until the Johnson County game. Campbell almost immediately made a big play on defense but left the game shortly thereafter due to some pain lingering from the injury. Rice said he anticipates Campbell being available on Friday, but won't know for certain until X-rays are seen Monday. "Nemo's return has been super anticipated, and I couldn't have been happier for him," Jones said. "When he came out again last night, I know it was one of those moments for him and us like, 'Please don't let this happen.' I'm really hoping he is okay, and I believe he should be. He's one of the toughest kids you will meet."