Run-Only Mariners To Test Worcester State's Cam Jones
By Jen Toland, College Beat Writer
September 30, 2011
Cameron Jones is known at Worcester State as one of the quietest and most laid back and easy-going guys on campus.
Then the senior linebacker steps on to the football field.
"I'm kind of a shy person," Jones said, "but when I get on the field it's like, 'I'm a football player.' I love the passion of the sport and being with my teammates. And I like to hit people."
Jones, a Stow resident who played high school ball at Nashoba Regional, leads the undefeated Lancers (4-0) with 32 tackles. He registered 11 stops and a pass breakup in last week's triple-overtime win against Westfield State and was named Defensive Player of the Week in the New England Football Conference. He was also named to the D3football.com Team of the Week.
The 5-11, 200-pound Jones started at outside linebacker last season and was among the team's leaders in tackles, sacks and interceptions. Jones moved to middle linebacker ("Mike") the second game of this season after Curtis Hickson blew out his knee in the opener against WPI.
Jones, who also handles the long snapping on punts, has been solid against the run and in pass coverage (team-high five pass breakups) while helping Worcester State to its best start since 2002.
"He's a little undersized, but he has good speed and he has all the calls down," coach Brien Cullen said. "And he's one of the best long snappers around."
Jones and the rest of the Worcester State defense will face an interesting challenge in tomorrow's noon game as it tries to stop the flexbone option attack of defending Bogan Division champion Maine Maritime at Coughlin Field.
"Cam will play a pivotal role," Cullen said. "He'll be in on every play. He has to make the right decision every time."
The Mariners (3-0) rank second in NCAA Division 3 with an average of 379.7 rushing yards. They've thrown the ball just 14 times in three games. Last season Maine Maritime beat Westfield, 42-21, with zero passing yards.
"You don't know who's getting the football," Jones said. "You have to have somebody tackle the fullback on every play, as well as the quarterback and the pitch guy. We've been going over that in practice. It's totally different defending a team that runs the ball 90 percent of the time, but we'll be ready."
Worcester State will be trying to beat Maine Maritime for the first time since 2003.
The Lancers, a top NEFC team earlier this decade, were 1-9 just two seasons ago. They improved to 5-5 last year and seem to be continuing the rebuilding effort.
"We've been developing in all three phases," Jones said. "Our coaches have gotten us ready for each game this year and we've definitely been ready for all the teams we've faced so far. Hopefully our success will continue this week."