Jones touchdown reception highlights Foley spring game

By Steve Seagle, file
Posted 5/22/07

FOLEY, Alabama — Even though Julio Jones was the man everyone came to see, McGill-Toolen and Opelika High School stole the show at the 2007 Coca-Cola/Riviera Utilities Spring Classic.

Foley faced Opelika High School to kick things off, falling …

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Jones touchdown reception highlights Foley spring game

Posted

FOLEY, Alabama — Even though Julio Jones was the man everyone came to see, McGill-Toolen and Opelika High School stole the show at the 2007 Coca-Cola/Riviera Utilities Spring Classic.

Foley faced Opelika High School to kick things off, falling 28-7.

The Bulldogs running game was too much for the Foley defense, as sophomore Corey Grant and junior Dae Spence scored rushing touchdowns. Opelika scored two more touchdowns through the air.

Foley's LaVance Mitchell helped the Lions strike first, scoring on a run from two yards out.

"It's spring. We don't put a great deal of stock in it, but we want to see effort and fundamental stuff," said head coach Todd Watson. "None of these teams here have prepared or schemed for the other one. We don't play Opelika routinely, but it's good for coaches to come in and see what these athletes can do. It's been good to go against somebody else, you can get tired of beating on yourself after a while."

After Foley's first-half matchup against Opelika, the Lions went on to face McGill-Toolen, where Jones finally made some noise.

The wide receiver had just two catches for 11 yards, with one drop, against the Bulldogs, but broke away for an 87-yard touchdown pass reception against McGill.

"We just got off to a slow start, and in the first game we just tried to fix little things," Jones said. "In the second game we just tried to come out and execute better."

Watson along with Jones felt the team accomplished their goals with the spring games despite the 28-7 loss to McGill-Toolen.

"You'll find out real quick who will respond to good situations and bad situations," he said. "That is what we are looking for this spring."

The Lions lost starting quarterback Roosevelt Byrd to graduation, leaving rising senior Devin Smith to step into the role of field general. Watson said the main goal for his quarterback is repetition and live experience.

"Devin is going to be fine," Watson said. "I thought he did a good job today. He just needs more reps, and that is the reason we have spring practice. The game experience he got today he can't get in practice."

All the attention surrounding Jones creates even more pressure as the quarterback has to create big play opportunities down field.

"I wasn't worried about all of that," Jones said referring to all the scouts. "I was just trying to come out here and play the best I could to help my team out. We have great coaches who work us hard and help us become mentally tough. I am very excited about this season, but there is a lot of work we have to do to get better."

When asked about the recruiting process and if he had any further indication of his collegiate choice, with a smile on his face he simply said, "It's still wide open."