Football: All-American Bowl picks Joliet Catholic’s Malin Jones

Updated: November 2, 2011 8:32PM

Shaon Berry, founder and CEO of Junior Rank Sports, scanned the all-school assembly at Joliet Catholic, which included representatives of the United States Marine Corps, and explained the idea behind the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

“We wanted this game to bring together the 100 best players in the country who also were the 100 best students and people in one football game,” he said.

Hilltoppers senior wingback and safety Malin Jones, who will play at Northwestern and is the first back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three seasons at Joliet Catholic, fits Berry’s description to a T.

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

The inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, which Junior Rank Sports developed in conjunction with the USMC, will be played Jan. 3 at Chase Field in Phoenix and will be televised live by CBS Sports Network beginning at 6 p.m. Jones received his jersey in the Wednesday ceremony and joins Bolingbrook linebacker Antonio Morrison, who received his jersey Monday, as area representatives in the game.

Jones and his Joliet Catholic teammates, meanwhile, will be at Morris on Friday for a second-round match-up in the Class 5A playoffs. To say coach Dan Sharp is happy to have Jones on his side is an understatement.

“Malin is a true All-American as a player, leader, person and friend,” Sharp said. “I’m so proud of him, and so proud to have him represent us in this (All-American) game.

“He has worked so hard to earn this success, and yet one of his greatest attributes is his humility. That’s what makes him such a strong leader. He leads by example.”

The 100 high school seniors from around the nation who will participate were chosen by a committee headed by renowned recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. The day before the game, a four-hour combine for top juniors is scheduled in Phoenix, and Jones’ teammate Ty Isaac has been invited.

“Tom Lemming called me in the summer and said he was looking to make sure Illinois had good representation in the game,” Jones said. “It’s a great honor to play in the inaugural game and compete against some of the best players in the nation.”

Jones will give his best Jan. 3, as always. But what matters most is his team.

“After this (ceremony), it’s all about beating Morris,” he said. “Winning state is the No. 1 goal. Our class has not experienced that. I don’t feel we could leave here not being able to say we won state.”

Yet, Jones respects the Redskins.

“We’re not looking past them and I’m sure they’re not looking past us,” he said. “I heard all about the 2005 game when they beat (Joe) Benson and those guys. I know we’re 0-3 at their place, and they’re really good. It will be small-town football at this best Friday. The whole town will shut down.

“Either of us that goes on can do great things the rest of the playoffs.”

Jones is a running back first and foremost and Northwestern recruited him there. But he also has been a leader at safety, where he plays for his dad, Earl Jones, the Hilltoppers’ defensive backfield coach.

“That’s interesting, playing for my dad,” he said with a smile. “It can be interesting good, or not, to sit down to dinner with the DBs coach.”

Even though Jones has rushed for 1,002 yards this season, “Some people have said playing defense took a little away from my offense,” he said. “But I think I’m performing at the best of my ability on offense. I’m proud of that and proud of being able to help our defense.”

That’s a leader speaking, the type organizers of the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl wanted from the get-go. Jones received a standing ovation from the student body when he received his jersey. In return, he thanked everyone from the game organizers, to his parents, to the marines and what they do for our country, to his coaches, teammates and classmates.

His sincerity was evident.

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