By: Sean Moylan
While it would be nearly impossible to pick a best player on the Florence Township Memorial High School boys’ varsity football team, Abree Jones would have to be considered the most versatile player on the squad.
Jones could have easily made all-star squads as a running back, linebacker and kicker this season. Some papers even picked him as an all-star linebacker while others chose him as an all-star running back. Yet his kickoffs out of the end zone may draw the most "oohs and ahs" from the Florence fans.
"I think it’s a real good rule," smiled Jones, of the rule that puts the ball on the 20 following kicks that go into the end zone.
With Jones’ touchbacks, the Pioneers found themselves in poor field position much of the day. He even kicked a 24-yard field goal to put Florence ahead 9-7 at intermission.
However, Jones’ biggest play of the championship game came on the other lines of scrimmage on special teams when he blocked a punt and scored to give the Flashes’ life, after falling behind 7-0.
"The blockit was a momentum shifter," said Jones, who knew he was going to smack down the punt even before the play was underway. "Steve (Ordog) he put in some schemes to block punts." Meanwhile, the talented Florence junior ran for 95 yards on 19 carries.
And in the fourth quarter, one really knew things were going Jones’ way when he kicked the ball off the side of his foot and it went right to teammate Zach Rinaldi for an outside kick recovery. "We didn’t plan it that way," laughed Jones, who is truly a nice kid liked by all of his teammates.
On Sundays, Jones and his friend and teammate Andrew Cipriano announce the Pop Warner games at the Pit.
"I just do it to see the little kids play," added Jones, who works as a camp counselor during the summer. He and classmate Joe Spahn have gone to a championship game, all three years they’ve been at Florence. The first coming when the Flashes played down south.
"I played one year in South Jersey and I don’t think it’s that much of a change (except for Paulsboro)," said Jones. "It’s real good to get to high school and get to three title games. I think we’ll be good next year too."
A defensive lineman and a running back in Pop Warner, Jones made the switch to linebacker in high school and he likes it.
"I can rush the quarterback or I can stop and make plays," said Jones, "I love to hit people. This season was real fun. But last season was fun too. You like being a marked team."
However, this season didn’t start off well for Jones, who broke his hand during the club’s first game versus Burlington Township. Jones scored a pair of touchdowns with a broken hand that day, but for the next few weeks he was relegated to kicking duties, while his good buddies Maurice Calhoun and Joe Spahn handled the bulk of the running.
Even so, Jones worked out to keep himself ready. And when his cast came off midway through the season, he came back better than everand was a big reason Florence won its second Central Jersey Group I title in a row.
Jones has already started basketball practices, where he should be a swingman on the team. He’s a great high jumper (6 foot) and long jumper (20 feet 4 inches for 8th in the state) as well.
Jones has lived in West Trenton and Bordentown, but he has really found a home in Florence.
"I like living here. Everything is great," said Jones, who likes science and working with kids.
And Florence loves having its triple threat football player, who is sure to lead the Flashes into exciting new adventures next season.

