Story by DJ Eberle for the Sun-Gazette

NANTICOKE — Whether Williamsport Millionaires senior Nassir Jones was on offense or defense, he made sure to leave his mark.

Not only did the 6-foot-2 tight end haul in five passes for 130 yards and a pair of scores, but Jones made his presence felt in the Nanticoke Trojans backfield, too. The defensive end brought down Nanticoke senior quarterback Mike Marcella for a second-quarter sack just as the Trojans crossed the 50-yard-line for the first time Friday night. Nanticoke punted three plays later.

Jones was a catalyst for a Millionaires offense that amassed 348 yards of offense en route to a 43-18 victory against the Trojans at Nanticoke High School.

“This was a great feeling, coming back out here to play again,” Jones said. “The scary part about it is you don’t know what every week is – guaranteed.

“We all came in as a team. We all played well. I wouldn’t do it without my team.”

In a season that seemed like it might not even happen just over a month ago, Jones wasted no time to find the end zone.

The Millionaires got the ball just over three minutes into the game, at the 8:54-mark. Jones was standing in the end zone 45 seconds later after taking a screen from Williamsport junior quarterback Frankie Morrone 51 yards to pay dirt.

But that wasn’t even Jones’ best play – arguably.

With 4:30 remaining in the half, facing a third-and-13 in enemy territory, Jones ran down the field and positioned himself in the back of the end zone as Morrone scrambled to buy time in the pocket. Morrone heaved the ball 27 yards down field to the only place where his tight end could get it – jumping over the defender to make the grab.

“That catch – that was a big-boy catch right there,” Williamsport head coach Charles Crews said of Jones’ second touchdown reception. “That’s why he’s the recruit he is. That’s why he’s the player that he is. We expect that from him every game, regardless of who the opponent is. We’re going to need even more that next week (against defending state champion Wyoming Area).

“Just being an athlete,” Jones added. “Got up, got the ball and came down with two feet.”

While Jones was impressive, the Williamsport defense found its fair share of success as well.

The Trojans weren’t able to get much going until Crews put his reserves in, in the second half. Nanticoke crossed midfield just once in the second half, and didn’t do it again until midway through the third quarter after already trailing 36-0.

“It’s tough. You can’t simulate what they run on offense in practice,” Crewes said. “You have to commit to running the winning and getting those guards to pulling. We were just fortunate to have guys who could make reads and come down hill and make plays.”