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Schools

JCA's Mr. All-American

Joliet Catholic Academy's Malin Jones, the first running back in school history to top the 1,000-yard mark in three consecutive seasons, was named to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

Malin Jones, All-American.

As Joliet Catholic football coach and athletic director Dan Sharp pointed out Wednesday, that phrase has a ring of truth to it. And that truth has something to do with everything that Jones stands for every day.

“Malin is a true All-American — as a player, as a leader, as a person, as a friend,” Sharp said. “He has worked so hard for his success, but one of his greatest attributes is his humility. He leads by example.”

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Shaon Berry, founder and CEO of Junior Rank Sports, and representatives of the United States Marine Corp agreed with Sharp, naming Jones as one of 100 players to participate in the first annual Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. The game will be played and televised on Jan. 3 from Chase Field in Phoenix.

An assembly was held in JCA’s Student Activity Center on Wednesday as Berry and members of the U.S. Marines were on hand to present Jones with a replica jersey for the 2012 event. Jones was honored.

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“First and foremost, I want to thank the Marines,” Jones said, showing wisdom beyond his 18 years of age. “Because if not for the Marines, we would not be able to even play football in our country.”

A senior wingback and safety who has committed to Northwestern University as a running back, Jones ranks as one of the top two-way threats in the country. He is in his third varsity season at JCA.

Two games ago, Jones became the first player in the Hilltoppers’ storied football history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three different and consecutive seasons. He had 1,284 on 199 carries in 2009, he had 1,122 yards on 106 carries in 2010 and he has 1,002 yards on 129 carries for this year’s 8-2 team.

The son of Earl and Dolores, the Naperville native also has his mind focused on two distinct objectives.

“Winning state is the No. 1 goal,” Jones said. “After this ceremony is over, it’s all about beating Morris. Our senior class has not experienced the thrill of winning state and I don’t feel like we could leave here not being able to say we won one. We’re not looking past Morris and I’m pretty sure they will be ready."

During the ceremony, Berry looked up at JCA’s state championship banners for sports like baseball, football, boys golf and girls volleyball and stated his admiration for the school’s standard of excellence.

“I want to stay here for a while,” Berry said with a laugh. “My high school never won like this, so it is an honor to be here today and it is an honor to recognize a player the caliber as a person in Malin Jones.

“When you hear the comments that are made about Malin before they talk about him as a football player, you know he belongs in this game. That said, I hear he’s a pretty good football player, too.”

A true All-American.

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