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One more goal to reach

N-C star chases dream of a state football title

By Paul Fogleman

Record Sports Correspondent

Published: December 5, 2008

NEWTON - Prior to the start of his senior season, Dorian Jones and his Newton-Conover High teammates were asked to put to paper their goals.

After a few minutes of deliberation, Jones came up with three.

The first, he said, was simply to be one of the Red Devils' leaders this year. Though not necessarily the most vocal of players, both he and his head coach say he has accomplished such with his play on the field.

Second was the idea of capturing a conference title. After sharing the Catawba Valley Athletic 2A-3A Conference crown with Hibriten, goal No. 2 could be scratched from his list.

But Jones' final one was the most audacious. Like every high schooler, Jones dreams of – and expects – his team to win a state championship.

With a victory over West No. 4 seed Starmount (11-3) tonight at Gurley Stadium (7:30 p.m. kickoff), Jones and the second-seeded Red Devils can earn a chance at the state 2A title next weekend in Chapel Hill.

The normally soft-spoken Jones suddenly perks up when addressing the possibility of concluding his prep career with a champion's trophy.

"I've already accomplished two (of his goals), and the next step is to win state," said Jones. "It's never happened at Newton-Conover, and getting a championship would be big for the team and our community.

"Really, I don't know what I'd do (if the Red Devils win)."

The 18-year-old tailback has done plenty to help put Newton-Conover in prime position to compete for a title.

Coming off a junior year of 1,461 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, Jones has eclipsed that with 1,797 yards and 20 TDs this season.

As adept as he has been on the ground, Jones also has shown the skills to be a threat through the air as well, leading Newton-Conover in receiving yards this year (398) and accumulating 765 yards and six TDs during his two-year run.

But as standout as Jones' work on the field has been, it's his leadership qualities that make him special, said Newton-Conover head coach Nick Bazzle.

"He's not a guy who's going to be a real vocal leader," said Bazzle. "He's the guy who's going to do something and expect you to do the same.

"He leads by his effort in practice and in games, and I can't tell you of a time I've had to jump on Dorian for loafing."

Neither a lackadaisical attitude nor nervous anticipation on Friday nights have been a part of the 5-foot-8, 155-pounder's makeup.

But Jones admits he was caught off guard by the success he enjoyed as a fresh-faced varsity player last year. His goal on the varsity was a much simpler one.

"I just wanted to win games," said Jones. "Most people thought we weren't going to be that good, so I didn't care about getting the ball.

"I only wanted to win, and I thought Devon would be our leading rusher," referring to 2007 quarterback and cousin Devon Danner.

"I always wanted to play with him, and since he was our quarterback I wasn't really too nervous. He helped me out a lot, and most teams had plans to stop him and that left me open."

This year, though, Jones became a focal point of opposing defenses, but the experience returning had him believing that last year's performance could be surpassed.

"I knew going in that we were going to be good," Jones said. "I wasn't worried because we had a lot of big guys back on the line, and our receivers block well and everyone was really unselfish and worked as a team."

Now that team has the opportunity to produce Newton-Conover's second appearance in a state championship tilt (the first coming in 2000).

And though he says he doesn't get worked up before a game, Jones said the buzz circulating around the practice field this week couldn't be ignored.

"We've tried not to get too excited at practice. We're trying to save it for the game," said Jones. "The last couple of years we haven't gotten past the third round, and (falling again) is something we don't want to do, especially at home.

"In a way, we've tried to treat every game (in the playoffs) like it's a state championship, because if you lose you go home."

And Jones and the rest of the Red Devils hope to wait one more weekend before doing that.

With goal No. 3 in hand.