By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Two years ago Zach Jones was sure he knew everything about what it took to become one of the best in the state.

An up and coming sophomore trying to make an impact on varsity Jones quickly saw he had a lot to learn before joining the class of the state’s elite.

The first lesson for Jones was a valuable one and it came from someone close to him.

Jones spent most of his sophomore season on the sideline watching his older brother Jason post one of the best seasons for a receiver in City High history in 2015.

As Jason Jones piled up catches and yards, Zach Jones studied up while gaining some perspective and plenty of knowledge.

“At that point, I was thinking I was one of the better players and I can do what I want and he kind of humbled me,” Zach Jones said. “He really helped me mentally more than anything and gave me tips on playing wideout.”  

Last season Jones put all the knowledge he gained, every tip and insight to use as he put together his own strong season.

Now a year older and more importantly a year wiser Jones is ready to make the leap to the elite status.

“When you get to the varsity game it’s a little different and each little lesson that came along he learned from,” City High coach Dan Sabers said. “He’s a smart football player so as time went he just got better because he understood everything better.”

Jones was sure he was up to the test of facing the varsity spot light as a sophomore.

He now admits he needed some time to learn which is exactly what he got that season while watching Jason catch 65 passes for 1,153 yards and 10 touchdowns.

As he waited for his turn to replace his brother as a game-breaking receiver for the Little Hawks Zach Jones soaked in everything he could.

“He talked to me a lot about working hard and staying positive,” Zach Jones said of what he learned from his brother. “With his team he felt like he had to step up and take a leadership role as a senior and that’s kind of what he has been telling me. I feel like I’m a better leader now and that I’m starting to bring guys along.”

Jones passed his first big test last season in his first year as a starter.

He caught a team-high 39 passes for 556 yards and four touchdowns while helping City High to an 8-3 record and spot in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

The more he played last season the better Jones got.

In a pair of playoff games Jones caught 12 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown, had an interception and returned a punt 89 yards for a score.

“You don’t have to tell Zach something five times, he’ll pick it up pretty quickly,” Sabers said. “As the season went on he was playing his best football.”

His versatility is what sets the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Jones apart from other players.

Not only was Jones a dangerous weapon on offense but he showed the ability to be a lock down defender in the secondary and a game breaker on special teams.

That varying skill set makes Jones a threat to score on any play at any time.

“I would take him over anybody this side of the state as far as that type of position player,” Sabers said. “He’s a special player.”  

Jones showed how special he can be in all three phases last season scoring a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams.

He made 36.5 tackles and returned one of his three interceptions 63 yards for a score.

Jones also averaged better than 18 yards on 14 punt returns, taking one back 89 yards for a touchdown in a playoff win over North Scott.

“I think he is one of the best all-around players in the state,” City High senior quarterback Bryce Hunger said. “He can do some great things.”

Jones has begun to see his recruiting stock rise but is focused on his senior season at City High before thinking about college.

College coaches taking a look at Jones have plenty of options for the multi-talented playmaker.

Sabers sees Jones as a receiver at the next level but added he’s glad to be able to use him on both sides of the ball.

Jones doesn’t really care what he’s asked to do as long as he’s one the field.  

“Of course I like offense, I like to score points, I like to look good for the family and the fans and that’s fun but on defense you get to hit people,” Jones said. “If you ask me I would play anything for the team.”

City High will certainly ask Jones to do a little bit of everything this season and his teammates say he’s always up for any test that gets tossed his way.  

“He’s a competitor,” Hunger said. “He’s not going to let anyone beat him at anything. Everything is a competition to him and he usually wins.”