Keeping up with the Joneses: Iowa City High senior sets school mark, eyes brother's records

IOWA CITY — Catch. Run. Repeat.

Iowa City High's Zach Jones has made that a habit during his prep career.

Each time the senior wide receiver executed that routine last week against Ames, his only focus was on getting his teammates to the end zone. He managed to score a couple touchdowns, but he was oblivious to the bigger achievement.

Jones reeled in a school-record 16 catches. He amassed 232 receiving yards, which is second on City High's all-time single-game list.

'During the game, I just focused on catching the ball and getting as many yards as possible, scoring for my team,' Jones said. 'It didn't feel like I had that many yards when I was playing. Afterward is when everything hit. Coach was telling about stuff and it hit me.'

Jones has etched his name in the City High record book and eyes more school receiving marks, including a couple held by his older brother, Jason Jones. His next chance to add to his impressive season totals will come against crosstown rival and Class 4A second-ranked Iowa City West in the 'Battle for the Boot' on Friday night at Bates Field.

City High Coach Dan Sabers met with assistants and Jones at the end of last season, identifying his role this season.

'We have to find ways to get him the ball as many ways as we can because he's an explosive player,' Sabers said. 'He's fearless out on the field and those are great assets to have. He's a very intelligent football player as well.'

Some of that knowledge was handed down from his older brother, who set school bests as a senior with 65 catches for 1,155 yards in 2015. Jones was moved to varsity as a sophomore that season and actually served as his sibling's reserve.

'Every practice he was teaching me little tips and tricks you can get away with in the game,' Jones said. 'Just little things normal fans wouldn't see during the game.

'He set the bar. He put everything on the line every year he could. He played his heart out. If I don't live up to the hype, he's going to give me crap for it.'

The good-natured ribbing already occurred this week. The younger Jones received a text, reminding him that he remains second fiddle until he eclipses the single-season records. The response included a notice that he was on pace with his 29 catches for 428 through three weeks.

The brothers have always battled, regardless of the activity. Some video game contests ended with the loser shutting off the console. It extended to sports and outdoor games.

'We compete with everything,' Jones said. 'It always pushes me. We talk every day.'

Jason Jones is second all-time with 1,395 career receiving yards and 80 career catches at City High. He trails only Mark Lumpa's 82 from 1983-84. Zach Jones is on pace to break the receptions record, toppling the old single-game total of 12 held by Lumpa (1983) and C.J. Thieleke (1992).

Zach Jones has 70 catches for 997 yards, needing two more yards to overtake former University of Iowa and National Football League player Tim Dwight for ninth on the school's list.

Sabers said both had a knack of adjusting to the ball and were tough, fearless competitors. Jason Jones was a bigger target, while Zach Jones is quicker.

'The thing about Zach is his motor is tough,' Sabers said. 'He can just keep coming. I was so impressed because there were so many little plays that he made into big plays. He's got that ability to make that short little move and if you're not ready he'll be by you. Then it's over, too. He's got that kind of breakaway speed.'

Sabers and staff have had to create ways to free up Jones, who faces the regular double-team. Defenses struggle to cover Jones with just one player, but he is willing to receive the added attention so his teammates can thrive.

'If they're double-teaming, I know guys have been grinding to get their spots on offense and I'm pretty confident in what they can do to make plays,' Jones said. 'If they go 1-on-1 with me, that's exactly what we want.'

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound wideout broke through last season with 556 receiving yards on 39 catches. He picked up where he left off from last season, garnering interest from NCAA Division I programs.

Jones has helped Bryce Hunger transition to the quarterback this season. They have developed a rapport, resulting in 684 passing yards and four TDs for Hunger.

'They're good friends,' Sabers said. 'They talk a lot.

'They help each other along and Bryce brings that same toughness on the football field.'

Jones grew more as a player in the past and emphasized becoming a better leader for an inexperienced City High team for this season.

'Last year, it was mainly route running and seeing schemes before the play even started,' said Jones, noting he's undecided where he wants to continue his football career. 'This year, I feel like it's more mental. I've been focusing on leadership and how to bring my teammates along with me, getting those guys ready to go.'

The leadership shines in his varied contributions. He is the team's top returner, taking back a punt for a 65-yard touchdown. Jones also led City High with eight tackles against Ames.

'Zach was certainly special,' Sabers said. 'He played dang near every play on defense. When that whistle blows, I don't think fatigue enters his mind. It's time to make another play. I would put Zach out there as good as anybody on this side of the state as far as everything he does for our team.'

The Little Hawks (1-2) need an encore performance from Jones and the offense and an improved defensive effort to compete with one of the best teams in the state in West (3-0).

'I have no doubt both teams will play hard,' Sabers said. 'We're going to have to play better, obviously, if we're going to give ourselves a chance to win. West is better than any team we've played yet. We have to come out and execute better and play, not just a little but a lot, better than what we have.'

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