JONES CATCHING ON QUICKLY AT NORTHEAST

BOONEVILLE, Miss.-- After finishing the 2006 football season with the 2nd most receptions among MACJC receivers, sophomore Anthony Jones (Tallahassee, FL) is picking up in 2007 where he left off last season: leading the Northeast Tigers in receptions and near the top of the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges receiving charts.

As a freshman in 2006, Jones finished with 37 catches, just six behind Co-Eric Riley of Miss. Gulf Coast CC.

So far in 2007, Jones has hauled in 15 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown. The 6’1, 185 lb wide-out is currently 2nd in the state with 15 total receptions. His average of 5 receptions per game is currently 4th best among Mississippi pass-catchers. Itawamba Community College’s D.A. Griffin has also caught 15 passes so far this season but has only seen action in two games and therefore leads Mississippi JUCO’s with a 7.5 catch per game average.

Part of the reason for Jones’ success can be attributed to freshman quarterback Emanuel Francis’ ability to find Jones during Northeast’s first three games. Including 185 yards in completions to Jones, the Tigers’ signal-caller from Tallahassee, FL, has thrown for 343 yards this season with three touchdowns and three interceptions. By completing 57% of his throws, Francis is 7th among MACJC quarterbacks in average yards per game (114.3) and pass efficiency (109.0).

“They’ve known each other since high school,” said Northeast offensive coordinator David Wilkerson. “They have a good chemistry between them. The truth is that both of them are easily capable of bigger numbers than what they’ve put up so far. If we can start taking care of the football a little better, and just stay on the field a little longer offensively, then both those kids will have good numbers by the end of the season.”

Jones, Francis, and the rest of the Tigers will open MACJC North Division play on Thursday night, September 20, on the road against Northwest Miss. CC in Senatobia, Miss.

Kickoff between the Rangers and Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game can be heard live on the radio on WKZU, 102.3 fm, beginning with the Andy Greening coach’s show at 5:30 p.m.

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