Darren Jones

Thornton quarterback Darren Jones describes himself as a playmaker who has the ability to run and throw.
(Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)

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Thornton senior quarterback Darren Jones is the Sun-Times' Spotlight Player of the Week. Jones (6-3, 195 pounds) has a Q & A session with Taylor Bell.

When people talk about the Thornton tradition, what comes to mind? Winning. Great players. I grew up in University Park and transferred from Crete-Monee to Thornton as a mid-year sophomore. Even when I was growing up, I heard about Thornton, about the great players that came out of the football program.

When was the last time you were in the Lou Boudreau Room? This summer. Coach [Bill] Mosel took us up there. It was my first time. I was impressed with all the pictures and trophies, all the things that they did. I didn’t know who Lou Boudreau was until I got there.

Are you aware of the quarterback tradition at Thornton? Yes. I know about Antwaan Randle El. Two of them, Stafford Owens and Dontrell Jackson, are on staff. They’re coaching me. It means I have a lot to live up to, a great tradition of quarterbacks. I don’t want to be anybody else. But I want to do my part.

How happy were you when coach Mosel said he was installing a shotgun, no-huddle offense? I was excited. I knew with the athletes we had — me, Jamal Gray, Greg Fuller, Quinton Richmond, Dante Tolbert — it would work to our advantage. I was kind of surprised he would change so drastically. He always liked to run the option. But I thought the new offense would be fun to run.

How would you describe the type of quarterback you are? I’m a playmaker. I have the ability to run and throw and do a lot of things.

What makes a great quarterback? The ability to get the ball to his receivers.

What quarterback do you admire the most? Dennis Dixon, when he played at Oregon. He did mostly what I do.

What colleges are you considering? Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan State. I want to play in the Big Ten. But I have no timetable to make a decision. I plan to wait to make official visits after the season. I’m waiting for more schools to show interest.

Which position are they recruiting you? I want to play quarterback in college. Some schools are recruiting me as an athlete, as a wide receiver or safety or running back. But I want to play quarterback. That’s where I fit the best.

Superstition? I drink a bottle of Red Bull energy drink before every game. As a team, we do everything the same before each game. We practice the same way. We don’t change anything. We do the same things we started to do in the summer.

Who would be your dream prom date? Lauren London, an actress who has appeared in films and music videos.

Pizza or White Castles? White Castles with cheese. I eat 10 at a time.

What is it that people don’t know about Mosel? He is very funny. He likes to come across as gruff and serious. But he has a soft spot.

What is it that people don’t know about you? I love to watch cartoons, especially ‘‘SpongeBob.’’

Ten years from now, I hope to be ... Successful in whatever I’m doing. Hopefully, I will be a television sportscaster.

How do you relax? I listen to music and lay down. I like old-school music, Marvin Gaye and Al Green. I like jazz. I listen to rap but not to relax.

What is it about this Thornton team that makes you feel it can contend for the state title? Everybody is determined. There is a lot of chemistry. This is the second or third year that we have played together. Everybody knows what each other can do. I really feel good about this team. It’s coach Mo’s team.