By Jamie Burch
Published: Fri, November 30, 2007 - 12:43 pm
Last Updated: Friday, November 30, 2007 - 5:14 pm
Last Updated: Friday, November 30, 2007 - 5:14 pm
The award, which recognizes outstanding athletic excellence and academic achievement, distinguishes Jones as Alabama’s best high school football player. Jones is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award to be announced in mid-December.
The 6'4", 218 lbs. senior wide receiver caught 68 passes for 1,179 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also helped Foley HS reach the Class 6A quarterfinals.
“Put it this way, I coached Terrell Owens when he was in high school, but right now, Jones is better than TO was at that age,” said rival Fairhope High Head Coach Mark Lasseter. “I’m not saying he’ll turn into that player, but he’s one of the best football players I’ve ever seen and I’m glad he’s graduating. His leaping ability is incredible—all the great ones have great speed and hands, but not all can jump. And few can jump like he can. I’ve seen him outleap three defenders to catch the football. And he’s a great kid on top of it all.”
Jones, who also won the Gatorade Alabama Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2006-07, has not decided where he will play college ball.
Jones is the second from our area to win the Gatorade Alabama Football Players of the Year. Phelon Jones of McGill-Toolen won in 2006-07.

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Where in this story did you find the word, “Mobilian”? If you believe the phrase, “from our area”, is equivalent to “Mobilian”, then you need to go back to high school yourself. Perhaps you should watch the Foley CBS affiliate for your high school football coverage.
There IS a big difference between Mobile and Foley. Foley would be the same small town it was before the 1990’s without the money spent by Mobilians and other Alabamians, Mississippians, Louisianans, Texans, and multitudes of tourists/property owners/snow birds passing through your city in route to our vacations/second homes/winter getaways on the Gulf Coast.
I, for one, am happy to see the youth of our region, regardless of city, town or school, to succeed in academics, athletics, and all healthy aspects of their young lives. Take a deep breath, and be thankful for what you have and for the wonderful coverage that WKRG provides for your city.
Congratulations, Julio Jones, for being the Gatorade Alabama Football Player of the Year!