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JSU’s Jones on Homecoming, Alcorn and More

In his final season with Jackson State University, defensive end/linebacker Javancy Jones is happy to still have a chance playing in the SWAC Championship Game. The http://www.espn.com/college-football/standings/_/view/fcs/group/31">Tigers are tied with Alcorn State University, with their homecoming game against Prairie View A&M University taking place this Saturday, Oct. 29.

Jones suffered a hyper-extended knee early in JSU’s game against Grambling State University on Sept. 17. He missed most of that game and the Tigers’ matchup against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the following week.

Even after missing nearly two full games due to injury, Jones has proven once again that he is one of the http://www.swac.org/ViewContent.dbml?CONTENT_ID=1878184&DB_OEM_ID=27400#conf.wi2">best defenders in the SWAC. He is 10th place in tackles with 41 total and 23 solo, ninth place in sacks with three, third place in tackles for a loss with 13 total, and tied for fourth place in forced fumbles with two.

This hasn’t been the perfect senior season for Jones. Beyond needing to overcome an injury, he is also trying to be there for his family while his mother deals with an illness.

Jones missed practice time right before JSU opened the season against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I was ready physically because of the work I put in the offseason, but mentally, it has been work with my mother being sick,” Jones told the Jackson Free Press.

At the same time, he says has enjoyed seeing the improvements that the Tigers have made as the season has gone on. “JSU is in great hand with this new coaching staff,” Jones says. “The future looks bright, and I’m glad I get to be a part of the beginning.”

With this week’s game at the center of homecoming week, Jones says he talked to his teammates about staying focused on their matchup against Prairie View.

“I’ve told the guys to remember that we are the main attraction this weekend,” he says. “We needed to remember it is OK to have fun, but get home early and get rest for Saturday.”

Despite being a senior, this will actually be Jones’ third homecoming game, as Grambling State didn’t show up for his freshman homecoming game due to a team protest over athletic department conditions.

“I didn’t get a homecoming game my freshman year, so I don’t know what the younger guys are going through exactly, but I’m going to enjoy my last homecoming just a little,” he jokes.

Every team, coach and player says they take the season one week at a time, but a potential showdown with Alcorn State for the East Division title on Nov. 19 is intriguing for JSU, as that game could mean a berth in the SWAC Championship Game.

“It doesn’t matter if that game is for the division title or not,” Jones says. “My freshman year, we were in the championship game no matter the outcome, and they beat us, and the next year they were in no matter the outcome, and we beat them.

“That game means everything each season. It would be cool if it was for the title, but we want to win no matter what, and that will be the last regular-season game of my career.”

As Jones finishes his college-football career, he is working toward continue playing professionally. The JSU star says he hopes to get an invite to the Senior Bowl after the season. He has received invites to other postseason games in the past but says it would be a “dream come true” to play in the Senior Bowl.

Even if his college-football career doesn’t open up doors for him in the NFL or CFL, Jones will have his degree from JSU. He is on course to graduate in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

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