Explosive Jones offense too much for OCS
EDMOND (Okla.) -- Oklahoma 3A football has known about the prolific Jones offense for years now.
Current Alabama quarterback David Cornwell ran and threw for 3,497 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2013 while at the helm of the Longhorn offense.
Just last season, 2017 three-star passer Brandon George passed for over 3,000 yards while eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark rushing in route to leading Jones to the state semifinals. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound dual-threat quarterback already holds offers from Boston College, Hawaii, New Mexico, North Texas, Ohio, Wake Forest, and Wyoming, among others, heading into his senior season.
George's leading target is 2018 Rivals250 wide receiver Sean Shaw, whose 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame has garnered attention from college coaches across the country.
However, even though Shaw may have been the main attraction when SCOOPHD ventured out to Edmond to see the 3A bout against Oklahoma Christian, it was a more diminutive offensive star that stole the show.
On the first play of the Jones season, it was 5-foot-10, 160-pound Callen Houston that took a reverse 76-yards to the house, slicing through the Saints defense, for an explosive opening act to the Longhorns' 2016 season. Houston would finish with 98 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries - he also added a 16-yard touchdown reception from George in the third quarter.
Houston possesses impressive agility, great vision, and a low center of gravity that makes him a nuisance to bring to the ground. While the senior probably lacks the explosion and long-speed to make him a high-profile prospect, he has enough of both to make him a solid football player and offensive weapon for somebody at the next level.
Despite the 41-6 final score, it was actually quite a pedestrian day for the Jones offense. Rain and a one hour, 21 minute lightning delay at the end of the first half cultivated a sloppy environment. The first possession after the wait ended with a Shaw fumble, as both teams were still getting used to the wet conditions.
George ended his day completing 17-of-25 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 71 yards on nine carries.
The three-star quarterback threw the aforementioned score to Houston, along with a nine-yard strike to Dalton May, a 25-yard pass to Cody Farmer, and a final 22-yard touchdown to Rowdy Warner. At times, George looked like the part of a polished prospect; his motion clean, his throws made with zip, and the athleticism to find throwing lanes and extend plays. Yet, there were times when the three-star's accuracy became inconsistent. He struggled on multiple occasions to find Shaw in the end zone, throwing to wide to where the long-limbed four-star couldn't even reach it. It's not a huge issue, but George needs to realize with Shaw going up against cornerbacks literally almost a foot shorter than himself, those throws just need to be within a catchable radius to give the four-star an opportunity to make a play.
As for Shaw, he certainly looked the part. The frame that impressed everyone at the Oklahoma camp this summer was obviously still there and when given the opportunity, Shaw showed some nice run after the catch skills and physicality when taking on defenders. Although, it still felt like an incomplete showing for the junior wideout, who was given two uncatchable targets in the end zone, hauled in a two-point conversion but was ruled out of bounds, lost a fumble, and was even flagged for a false start at one point.
The four-star still ended the game with a handful of catches and around 50 yards, but this game will likely finish as a low-end outlier for the season, as you can expect Shaw to put up some monster games this season while playing for the Jones offense under George.
May, who hauled in one of George's touchdown passes, was identified by our own Eddie Radosevich as someone to watch as a potential defensive end or tight end. And while he looked impressive working over the middle for his nine-yard scoring reception, May was especially impressive on the defensive side of the ball - making multiple sacks and wreaking havoc with a tenacious motor. There are limits to his game, but if you are looking for an old school football player that brings it on every snap - look no further than May. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound junior is one to watch in the 2018 class, who is primed for a breakout 2016 season.
A player of note from Oklahoma Christian was 6-foot-4, 225-pound freshman offensive lineman Jacob Chesley. The 2020 standout was hit hard, tested, and definitely took some blows, but hung in there and showed some impressive strength, balance, and knee bend for such a young player. He's definitely someone who could potentially grow into a very solid guard prospect.