South grad anchors O-line at Holy Cross

Aaron Jones, a South High School graduate, is a senior offensive tackle at the College of Holy Cross. Contributed photo

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:47 PM Saturday, October 31, 2009

When Aaron Jones arrived on campus at the College of Holy Cross, it didn’t take him very long to figure out his role on the football team.

“You’re a nobody again,” Jones said. “You’ve got to start all over.”

But the talented 6-foot-4, 360-pound offensive tackle from South High School got situated pretty quickly. He lettered as a freshman and started as a sophomore — and hasn’t looked back since.

Jones, a senior, is the anchor of the Crusaders’ (7-1, 3-0 Patriot League) offensive line which averages 446 total yards of offense and 35.4 points per game.

Holy Cross is ranked No. 17 in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Crusaders’ lone loss came to Brown 34-31.

They beat No. 24 Colgate 42-28 on Saturday, Oct. 24, avenging a loss which kept them out of the playoffs last fall.

“It was really fun,” Jones said. “We were real excited to play that game. We lost a heartbreaker there last year. We were ready to go and get out there and play.”

Jones, a first team All-Patriot League selection last fall, has started 32 of the last 33 games for the Crusaders. However, he’s never played in a playoff game — a streak he’s hoping to end this fall.

“We’ve been real close but haven’t gotten over that edge,” Jones said. “We think we can compete on a national level. Getting there is a goal, but we think we can go even further.”

During recruiting, Jones remembers Holy Cross coach Tom Gilmore telling him his class could be the ones “to push (the program) over the edge.”

“It would mean so much,” Jones said. “It wasn’t the best program (four years ago). It would mean a lot.”

Jones is scheduled to graduate in May with a history degree. But he’s also one of several players being scouted by the NFL.

“You’ve always got to keep those options open,” Jones said.

However, he’s not focusing on the future. He’s just hoping to finish his college career the best way possible. The Crusaders face tough games against Lehigh, Lafayette and Bucknell in the coming weeks.

“They’re all pretty important,” Jones said. “To control our destiny, we’ve got to win every game. It’s still kind of surreal right now. We’re just taking it one game at a time and hoping for the best.”

Short takes

Women’s soccer: Wittenberg University freshman midfielder Leslie Oliver, a Greenon grad, has played in all 17 games for the Tigers this season, starting 11 total.

She’s scored one goal this season, a game-winner against Centre College on Sept. 11. The Tigers (9-3-5, 4-2-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) will open play in the NCAC tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with the seedings to be determined.

Men’s soccer: Ohio Northern University coach Brent Ridenour, a Kenton Ridge grad, secured at least a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference title on Wednesday, Oct. 28, beating Wilmington 2-1. The Polar Bears, ranked No. 25 in Division III, are 13-3-2 and 7-0-1 in the OAC.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.

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