All-State pick Cam Jones made ‘everyone afraid’ of Wilson’s special teams
A program as rich in tradition and as deep in talent as Wilson’s has produced too many players to fit onto one Mount Rushmore — you would need carvings on several mountains to make room for the Bulldogs’ many great players.
No matter how you cut it Cam Jones will be at the top of one of those mountains and on any list of all-time greats.
He did everything for the Bulldogs, and did them well, distinguishing himself as one of the program’s top cover corners, as the league’s top running back and perhaps the greatest — and no doubt most productive — kick returner in Berks history.
“He has all the tools,” said Wilson coach Doug Dahms: “Big, strong, fast. Not afraid to hit. Brought everything. That’s just the way he is.”
Jones was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A All-State team Friday for the second straight year.
He is one of three players from the Lancaster-Lebanon League to make the team, joining Hempfield offensive lineman Deyvid Palepale and Manheim Township quarterback Hayden Johnson.
Quarterback Samaj Jones of PIAA champ St. Joseph’s Prep is Player of the Year. Calvin Everett of District 3 champ and PIAA finalist Harrisburg is Coach of the Year.
Harrisburg defeated Wilson 32-21 in the opening round of districts.
Jones, a Holy Cross recruit, is Wilson’s first two-time All-State pick since Iggy Reynoso, in 2016-17, and one of just a handful in program history. He joins all-time greats such as Jim Fehling, a first-team All-State lineman in 1970 and 1971; Chad Henne, a second-team pick as a junior and a first-team pick as a senior, in 2002 and 2003, respectively; linebacker Ike Schannauer, a first-team pick in 2014 and 2015; and linebacker Colton Weaver, a second-team pick in 2007 and a first-team pick in 2008.
“As I said many times, he was kind of special,” Dahms said. “He was just a great team leader. He was the hardest-working kid on the team and that’s what you need out of your best player.”
The 5-11, 183-pound senior was named Berks Player of the Year after rushing for 999 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns.
He was named Outstanding Back, Offensive Back of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year in Section 1 of Lancaster-Lebanon League, and was a four-way all-league pick. He was also named as a long snapper.
The only time he came off the field for the Bulldogs was on kickoff coverage and PATs.
“He understood the role,” Dahms said. “He really busted his butt in the offseason (to prepare for it). I told him you’re gonna have to be in the shape that’s well beyond what you ever imagined.”
Jones was a three-year starter at cornerback, and so good teams rarely challenged him. He began the season on offense at wide receiver but moved to running back after an injury to another player and ended up leading Section 1 backs in rushing, and averaging 9.2 yards per carry.
It was as a return man that he truly set himself apart. He returned five punts for touchdowns, a Berks record. Making that state even more amazing is that he did that on just six attempts, as opposing teams tried their best to kick away from him. He Averaged 59.7 yards per punt return.
“What he did for us just from a special teams standpoint put us on the map,” Dahms said. “Everyone was afraid of our special teams. If there’s a better return man, I don’t know who it is.”
St. Joseph’s Prep, which finished 12-1 and beat Harrisburg 42-7 in the state championship game, had six All-State picks. Harrisburg and State College, a state quarterfinalist, each had four.
Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A All-State Team
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Samaj Jones, St. Joseph’s Prep
COACH OF THE YEAR: Calvin Everett, Harrisburg
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Samaj Jones, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-1, 210 junior
Sam Stoner, York High – 6-0, 190 senior
Harrison Susi, Coatesville – 6-0, 185 senior
Hayden Johnson, Manheim Township – 6-1, 180 junior
Running Back
Jaheim White, York High – 5-9, 190 senior
Ethan Shine, Central Bucks East – 5-11, 215 senior
Artis Simmons, McDowell – 5-8, 175 senior
Mahkai Hopkins, Harrisburg – 6-1, 240 senior
D’Antae Sheffey, State College – 5-11, 180 freshman
Wide Receiver
Dylan Darville, Emmaus – 6-1, 180 senior
Pete Gonzalez, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-3, 200 junior
Kenny Johnson, Dallastown – 6-2, 190 senior
David Washington, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-0, 190 junior
Tight End
Jack Donnelly, Central Bucks East – 6-2, 220 junior
Offensive Line
Cooper Cousins, McDowell – 6-6, 310 junior
Michael Dincher, State College – 6-2, 300 senior
Ryan Howard, Downingtown West – 6-7, 305 junior
Deyvid Palepale, Hempfield – 6-3, 275 junior
Sean Kinney, Nazareth – 6-3, 290 junior
Athlete
Juelz Goff, Central York – 5-9, 190 junior
Kahmir Prescott, Northeast – 6-1, 192 junior
Isaac Sines, Cumberland Valley – 5-11, 190 senior
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Terrell Reynolds, Harrisburg – 6-2, 245 senior
Cole Sullivan, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-3, 200 junior
Manny Miller, Altoona – 6-2, 220 senior
Stephen Scourtis, State College – 6-4, 240 senior
Kion Wright, Cheltenham – 6-3, 235 senior
JW Scott, State College – 6-1, 230 senior
Linebacker
Amir Jones, Harrisburg – 6-1, 185 senior
Josiah Trotter, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-3, 230 senior
Owen Johnson, Bethlehem Freedom – 6-0, 215 junior
Carson Pascoe, Perkiomen Valley – 6-1, 195 senior
Domenic Grove, Central York – 6-0, 220 junior
Cole Nilles, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-3, 235 senior
Defensive Back
Omillio Agard, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-0, 170 junior
Anthony Sacca, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-4, 205 sophomore
Matthew Buchman, Hazleton Area – 6-1, 205 senior
Khiryn Boyd, North Allegheny – 5-10, 165 junior
Ezeekai Thomas, Carlisle – 6-0, 185 senior
Specialist
Gryffin Mitstifer, Parkland – 6-1, 160 senior
Athlete
Razan Parker, South Philadelphia – 5-11, 200 senior
Kyle Williams, Harrisburg – 6-0, 185 senior
Cam Jones, Wilson – 5-11, 183 senior
