Super-sophomore QB Jones powers Hitchcock to Division II State 7-on-7 crown

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COLLEGE STATION — If the State 7-on-7 Tournament is supposed to be won by veteran-laden squads, nobody told the Hitchcock Bulldogs.

Sophomore quarterback Lloyd Jones III threw four touchdown passees and added an interception to fuel Hitchcock to a 33-6 victory over Lorena on Friday afternoon in College Station, giving the Bulldogs their first-ever state 7-on-7 championship.

Jones, who was a first-team all-district pick as a defensive back and second-team all-district at receiver as a freshman in 2021, was razor-sharp at the controls of the Bulldogs attack, leading touchdown drives on each of their first four drives to take command of the game. Perhaps even more impressive: four different receivers caught the four touchdown passes.

"We've got great chemistry, and they run their routes right," Jones said after the game. "We started off each drive with a little out-route and that got us going."

The Bulldogs' defense was perhaps even more impressive, stifling a white-hot Lorena offense anchored by quarterback Jackson Generals and star junior receiver Jadon Porter. Damien McDaniel picked off a pass in the end zone to snuff out Lorena's opening drive. Then, Jones got in on the defensive act himself on the next drive, intercepting a pass before hitting Bryce Dorsey for another touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 13-0 at halftime.

After trading scores to start the second half, including Lorena's lone score of the game, the Bulldogs salted it away with a long touchdown pass from Jones to McDaniel, sending the boys from Galveston County into a knowing celebration.

The championship caps a perfect run for Hitchcock in College Station, finishing a perfect 8-0 after an undefeated run through pool play on Thursday. And for Jones, the son of former Florida State player Lloyd Jones II, it's the start of what could be a special 2022 calendar year.

"We've got to go out and keep working hard," Jones said, "but we're coming for state in the fall, too."

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