Here's the NJ.com write-up of Jones being named Player of the Year in New Jersey:
Tony Jones of Don Bosco Prep is State Offensive Player of the Year/
Jones made quite a first impression on Greg Toal, the coach at the Ramsey school.
"I just said, `Wow,' " Toal said. "He was a special player right away."
Jones, now just 5-8, 180 pounds, continues to prove that size doesn't matter. Jones was named Gatorade Player of the Year for New Jersey after this senior season in which he scored a school-record 36 touchdowns, won his fourth straight Non-Public, Group 4 state playoff title and helped the Ironmen to the consensus No. 1 ranking in the nation with a 12-0 record that included victories over top programs from California and Alabama.
In a way, Jones said, his size actually helped him become the player he is.
"I'm low to the ground, so it's hard to see me when I'm behind the line," he said. "By the time they see me, I'm already five yards downfield."
"He's like an eel," Toal said. "He's slippery and can quickly change direction. He's pretty amazing. He works as hard as anyone, but he's also gifted and can run a 4.4 40-yard dash. There's no question, he's the most explosive player in the state."
Those skills and speed combined with an unmatched work ethic made the Paterson native unstoppable.
"He worked so hard to make himself into an incredible player," Toal said. "His off-season workout is tremendous, and he took it up a notch after a slightly disappointing junior year."
Jones worked through the summer to put behind him a junior year marred by a broken collarbone. He started strong this season and never let up, recording his best numbers against the best teams on Don Bosco's schedule.
Jones rushed 174 times for 1,387 yards (7.97 per carry) and 34 TDs, caught 13 passes for 226 yards and a TD and returned a kickoff for a TD -- despite sitting out half of six games that were blowout victories. In the seven games in which he rushed for fewer than 150 yards, Don Bosco won by a combined score of 351-35, including a season-opening, 30-6 victory over California powerhouse De La Salle.