Jones alums know all about the Bulls

1963 and 1964.

Alfreda, who graduated from Jones in 1953 and is 83 years old, recalls being nervous before each game.

“They were very exciting games because at that time, I don’t think he lost too many that he coached,” she said. “He loved [the] game, and he loved Jones High School.”

There is one loss that still sticks with members of the 1964 team.

Jones entered its season finale against Northwestern 9-0. Backed by Herring, who was the quarterback, the Tigers’ rolled through their schedule. Using its double-wing t offense, Jones was explosive, until Northwestern figured out a way to slow the Tigers down.

The Bulls defeated Jones

Jones’ chance at perfection.

“I will never forget it. I will never forget it,” Herring said. “That’s an event that’s always stuck in my mind. We could’ve gone undefeated that year had it not been for Northwestern, and they weren’t the toprated team.”

Anthony Williams, a 1965 Northwestern grad, played the alto saxophone in the team’s band for three years. He said the games against Jones were electric.

Herring said the community still them of the loss.

The impact of two historically black high schools playing each other with bragging rights on the line continues to be felt today. 22-7, ending reminds

“The impact during that time was significant for African-American young men because oftentimes which is oftentimes like that today, those coaches were father figures,” said Grace, a 1965 graduate of Jones. “With their involvement with African-American youth at that level before integration, it was very important and key but it also evolved into good football teams.”

More than 50 years later, the two programs will meet again with even higher stakes.

Jones is seeking its first FHSAA state championship. Northwestern on the other hand has been the most successful of the formerly FIAA schools that merged with the FHSAA in the 1960s. The Bulls have won six state titles, including two in a row.

Jones will have two buses that will depart from the high school and have around 4,000 alumni at Daytona Beach Stadium, according to Jones’ booster club. The school’s basketball team postponed its game against Wildwood in the City of Orlando Holiday Hoops Classic on Saturday to watch the football team play for a state title.

For Herring and the rest of the community, it will provide a chance for Jones to exact some revenge for the loss in 1964.

“They are going to redeem the class of 1964 when we lost to them. Yes,” Herring said. “That’s bragging rights. They have the talent. … I think Jones is going to pull it off.”