Kilgore’s Jones named Parade All-American

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Roberts, Daniels to play in Shreveport All-American game; Jones headed to the Alamodome

FEARSOME SIGHT FOR AN OFFENSE — Kilgore High School senior defensive end Eddie Jones (32) records a sack against John Tyler. Jones, a verbal commitment to the University of Texas and a U.S. Army All-American, was named a Parade (Magazine) All-American this week. The senior, which led KHS in tackles and sacks in the 2005 season, will play once more representing Kilgore High School — the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 7. File photo by Kathy Bowden Football is over, but the accolades just keep coming in for players at Kilgore High School, and one young man is having to get used to a lot of attention.

KHS senior Eddie Jones, a defensive end for the Bulldogs who is considered by many to be the best at his position in the nation, was named to the Parade (Magazine) AllAmerican Team this week. The only other player in East Texas to earn the Parade status was Longview High School running back Vondrell McGee, also a senior.

Both of those players have made verbal commitments to the University of Texas.

And if you’d like to pick up the copy of Parade with Jones inside, it will publish next Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006.

EDDIE JONES It is truly an honor to be selected to the Parade team — only 56 players do so. Coaches, recruiters and members of the media make up the panel that selects the team.

Some past Parade All-Americans include former Palestine High School standout Adrian Peterson, now with the Oklahoma Sooners; former Lufkin quarterback Reggie McNeal, who recently finished his career with Texas A&M; and former Longview cornerback Bobby Taylor, a longtime star in the National Football League.

Jones was already on one All-American list: the U.S. Army All-American Team. He will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in the Alamodome on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Two days before that, Kilgore fans might want to make the trek over to Shreveport. If they do, they can see a couple of other local favorites perform.

Both Lon Roberts and Wayne Daniels will play in the 2006 Max Emfinger High School All-American Bowl Classic, to be played Thursday, Jan. 5 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La.

Like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the Max Emfinger game boasts some of the very best high school football players in the country, and Roberts and Daniels are certainly two of those. McGee is also expected to play in that game.

LON ROBERTS Roberts, an offensive lineman (who literally played all along the line at KHS) has already finished his high school career — he graduated early — and will continue his football career on the collegiate level at the University of Houston. Daniels, a defensive end and previously a Kansas State University verbal commitment, is still deciding upon his destination. The versatile Daniels also played tight end for the Bulldogs and was the team’s leading receiver in the 2005 season.

Daniels said Friday night that players involved in the Max Emfinger game are tor report around the beginning of the new year for a few days’ practice before that Thursday night game. Daniels is also currently playing basketball for the Bulldogs — the basketball team is off until playing in a tournament in Mount Pleasant next week.

Roberts and Daniels will be a part of the West all-stars for the game. The West all-stars will be coached by Houston Cy-Creek coach Les Koenning.

Jones, Roberts and Daniels were all very important factors in the Bulldogs’ first-ever Class 4A state football championship in 2004, and were all part of a class that helped KHS go 39-4 over the last three seasons.

WAYNE DANIELS KHS football is led by multiple-time state championship-winning coach Mike Vallery.

EDDIE JONES LON ROBERTS WAYNE DANIELS