McCutcheon senior Mason Jones finds passion through unified flag football. "I love working with kids."
LAFAYETTE ― McCutcheon senior Mason Jones took players aside, both partners and athletes alike.
Was Jones the head coach? No. But he took the primary leadership role both on and off the field, from making sure each player had a sanitized mouthpiece in, to calling plays and explaining to his teammates' their role on the field.
"He's a leader," McCutcheon head coach Mitchell Coffing said. "I don't think I could've done it without him. I didn't have a true assistant coach. He came in and stepped up as a senior, led our defense and took control."
Jones bore the responsibility of overseeing his school's unified flag football team after several key players, including Division I bound baseball players Sammy Swank and Jake Winger, didn't return.
That left Jones alongside Coffing having to recruit new partners from his school to pair with the athletes.
The formula of Jones' plan worked with McCutcheon capturing the IHSAA sectional unified football title 32-6 over Twin Lakes Saturday, Oct. 4.
Jones did more than call plays. He addressed players concerns, taught his teammates the playbook and managed the rotation to make sure all active participants got the opportunity to play a part in helping capture the sectional trophy.
Among those athletes who benefitted from Jones' guidance was senior athlete and center Jacob Sheese.
"Mason has been awesome this year, taking care and making sure Jacob is hustling," Sheese's father Clay said. "Jacob listens to him and shows him how stuff is done."
Jones expressed his plans to become a coach after he graduates high school.
"I love working with kids," Jones said. "I enjoy getting them better. I enjoy what I do. I love working with kids with disabilities and partners. I love coaching flag football, and I hope it's with basketball and baseball too."
Jones explained how his instincts for nurturing and listening came from his father Rob.
"I got to give credit to my dad," Jones said. "He instilled a toughness in me but also a sense of caring, and I try to have that with the kids and try to push them along while still showing care for them and that what I say is out of love to grow. I want them to be the best they can be, whether that's here on the field or in a game. Whatever I say, is out of love."
Patience and passion are expressed by Jones, who has become a guiding force in helping McCutcheon capture its sixth unified flag football title in seven seasons.
"I give again credit to my father Rob and mother Jess, and they raised me to know that life isn't fair," Jones said. "You have to push through things, and I've been through a lot mentally in my life. Being able to grow and have these group of kids that care for me and I care for them, it's what they've built me into."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: McCutcheon unified flag football Mason Jones uncovers teaching passion
Category: General Sports
