The Kansas City Star
July 15, 1993
Edition: METROPOLITAN
Section: ZONE/MIDTOWN
Page: 6

Pembroke Hill all-star ready to go
Author: HOWARD RICHMAN; Staff Writer

Jason Jones wants to prove that players from a smaller schools belong in the Metro Dream Classic High School All-Star Football Game.

He'll get the chance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Jones, a linebacker, will play for the Missouri squad against a team from Kansas. Jones attended Pembroke Hill, a Class 2A school in Missouri. He wants to show although he's from a small school he still can play with the boys from bigger schools.

"People hear Pembroke Hill and they kind of laugh," Jones said. "I hope to prove them wrong. I've never played against somebody from a really bigger school. I'm excited to play on the same team and against some of the best players in the city. I'm ready. " Pembroke Hill Coach Bob Hicks said Jones, who will attend William Jewell College, has his best days ahead of him.

"He reminds me a lot of Mark Alnutt, who played for me a few years ago," Hicks said. "Mark walked-on at Missouri and earned a scholarship. He made himself into a player. Jason's like that. He's real dedicated. He doesn't have great speed, but he's pretty strong. He's pretty versatile. " Jones attended Pembroke Hill 13 years. His hero is someone close to him. It's his dad, Ashe Jones, who is an assistant coach at Pembroke Hill.

"He's always been a good influence," Jason said. "He's really supportive. He set me straight and he got me into football. He was supportive whenever I needed him. He's the man I admire most. " His dad got to see Jason's proudest moment. It happened last season when he returned an interception for a touchdown.

"I always wanted to do that," he said.

Another highlight was playing in the state championship game his junior year, one which Pembroke Hill lost to John Burroughs 21-7.

Copyright 1993, 1996 The Kansas City Star Co.