Son of Cowboys CEO leads his school to title

ARLINGTON — John Stephen Jones, grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, was greeted first by his dad, tears streaming down the face of team CEO Stephen Jones after Dallas Highland Park clinched a Texas state high school championship.

The younger Jones scored two touchdowns, including the goahead score from the 1-yard line on fourth down in the third quarter, and Highland Park defeated Temple 16-7 for the Class 5A Division I title Saturday.

“So happy for all the Scots,” said Stephen Jones, who two days earlier had to stop in the middle of an answer to keep from choking up while talking about his son’s pursuit of a state crown. “Of course, love him to death. Don’t know what else to say. It’s just raw emotion.”

John Stephen, the offensive MVP, scored his first touchdown on a 36yard run in the first half in front of 35,089 fans at AT&T Stadium, the $1.2 billion home of the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones hugged his grandson after Highland Park (14-2) clinched its fourth state title and first since 2005. The postgame scene turned into a jubilant celebration for the Jones family.

“Every little kid grows up dreaming of winning the state championship,” John Stephen Jones said. “It’s incredible. Of course, the family deal makes it so special.”

Stephen Jones sat in the stands with the other parents, just as he did throughout the six-game playoff run that included games at the team’s new indoor practice facility that doubles as a home field for schools in the suburb of Frisco

Leading 14-7, Highland Park stopped Temple on fourth-and-1 at its 4-yard line early in the fourth quarter when Bennett Brock and John House stuffed Zion Leach at the line of scrimmage.

John Stephen Jones’ long TD run on a quarterback draw pulled Highland Park even at 7-all late in the second quarter.

John Stephen Jones was 9 of 23 for 96 yards with an interception. He was sacked three times and finished with 29 yards rushing.