Hutchinson High School senior Mason Jones will just have to walk across a parking lot or two to attend college and play football.
Jones officially announced Tuesday morning in the Hutchinson High School North Gym weight room that he signed a letter of intent to play football for the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons for the 2024 season.
“I’m excited,” said Jones, who plans to study engineering at HCC. “I get to stay at home and close to my son (Isaac Alexander Jones, 1 1/2 years old). “It’s an honor to play for both Hutchinson High School and HCC. They (HCC) treated me as family.”
Jones, who will play in the 51st Kansas Shrine Bowl at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Welch Stadium in Emporia, said he chose HCC over Bethany College, Sterling College, Garden City Community College, Missouri Western University, Central Oklahoma University and Peru State University.
The Hutchinson Salthawks finished the 2023 season with a 7-3 record, losing to Maize South in the state playoffs 21-20.
Jones made 43 tackles for the Salthawks, including 6 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.
Jones, a 6-foot, 234-pounder, will transition from defensive end in the Salthawks’ scheme under head coach Mike Vernon and defensive coordinator Scott Yantes to an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid for HCC head coach Drew Dallas and defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Gary Salgado.
The HCC football team, which was ranked No. 1 most of the 2023 season, lost 27-23 to East Mississippi Community College in the NJCAA Division I semifinals and finished the season with a 10-1 record.
“I’m happy Mason gets to into coach Dallas’ program (at HCC),” Vernon said. “They will take care of him. It’s great for him to go into a program like that. They will reload. Mason is a good player. He has to make sure he keeps working and gets into the weight room. Any time you go up another level, it’s tough.
“He will have his hand on the ground (as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker). We had him stand up (in the Hutchinson defensive scheme). I’m excited to see him play the hybrid. He can be really good.”
Jones’s parents are Luke and Sandra Jones and Brianna and Keith Cowden.
One of Jones’ new HCC teammates will be McPherson High School senior Blaise Hoover, who announced last week that he was signing with the Blue Dragons and would study business financing.
Wednesday Hutchinson High signings
Five other HHS athletes inked letters of intent Wednesday morning at the official Hutchinson Salthawk signing day in the Salthawk Activity Center.
They were Kelcie Shuff, Kansas Wesleyan University, softball; Zion Burgess, Bethel College, football; Juan Ford, Friends University, track and field; Jax Heneha, Bethany College, football; and Camden Jensen, Bethany College, football.
Shuff, who participated in cheerleading and softball, plans to major in business marketing at Kansas Wesleyan. She said the coaches at KWU influenced her decision to play for the Coyotes.
Shuff’s mother is Latisha Shuff.
Burgess will major in pre-dental at Bethel College. Burgess participated in football, track, HOSA and DECA.
HOSA is an international organization that provides a unique program of leadership, motivation and recognition for students interested in the medical field.
DECA originally stood for “Distributive Education Clubs of America.” The group now calls itself “An Association of Marketing Students” but continues to use the DECA acronym.
Burgess won the Super Salthawk Award and the Hutchinson Youth of the Year Award.
“Bethel is close to home and has a town (Newton) just like Hutch, so I feel like it would be a good fit for me,” said Burgess when asked what influenced his college decision.
Burgess’ mother is Damita Martin.
In addition to track and field, Ford was a member of the Hutchinson High football team. Ford is a Class 5A state track meet qualifier, state placer and an All-State performer in track and field.
Ford said “Being able to continue my athletic career” influenced his decision to attend Friends University. “I also got support from my friends, family and coaches.”
Ford will major in health and physical education at Friends University.
Ford’s father is Juan Ford-Valencia.
In addition to football, Heneha plays basketball and baseball at Hutchinson High School. He was first-team all-state defensive back, all-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League First Team his senior year and Second Team his junior year.
“The coaches at Bethany see me as a big part of turning the program around,” said Heneha, who plans to be a teacher and coach.
Heneha’s parents are Nicole Heneha and Ryan Heneha.
Jensen said “The opportunity to play football and learn more about Christianity” influenced his decision to sign with Bethany College. He plans to be a coach and teacher.
Jensen was a First Team All-AVCTL performer in football and honorable mention All-State. As a wrestler, Jensen is a two-time state qualifier, one-time state placer and has an 89-27 career record.
Jensen’s mother is Michelle Jensen.