Jerry Jones’ grandson went out in epic fashion Friday night, again leading his Dallas high school to a state championship while becoming the first quarterback to throw for more than 500 yards in a UIL Texas state title game.
But that was only icing on the cake for Highland Park senior John Stephen Jones in a 53-49 win over Manvel in the Class 5A Division I finale at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the home of his grandfather’s Dallas Cowboys Jerseys.
Jones, 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, finished with 564 yards and 4 touchdowns on 37-of-58 passing, capping it with a thrilling 16-yard touchdown pass to Cade Saustad with 34 seconds left. And that play was only possible because of Jones’ 28-yard completion on fourth-and-15 from the Manvel 39-yard line.
Highland Park left just enough on the clock to give Manvel a chance for their own heroics.
Enter Under Armour All-American Jalen Preston.
Preston, a receiver committed to Texas A&M who ranks 62nd in the ESPN 300, took Manvel to the 1-yard-line with a 30-yard reception, but he was tackled as the clock ran out.
It was the second state championship for Cheapjerseysusd Jones and Highland Park and the fifth overall for the school.
Jones, an undecided senior, has received scholarship offers from Texas Tech, Arkansas and SMU.
