Productive Charger Ashford joins Jones JC

ACKERMAN – Rakeim Ashford was a productive football player for the Choctaw County Chargers.

Even with the many impressive things Ashford was able to do for the Chargers, head coach Ben Ashley still doesn't think he has reached his full potential.

It's the hope of Jones Junior College that will come for Ashford during his time in Ellisville.

The versatile athlete from Choctaw County signed a with Jones on Wednesday morning in the school library in front of family, friends and coaches.

Jones recruited Ashford as a defensive back, but Ashley said he was a good players wherever the coaches elected to use him.

"He played all over the field for us,” Ashley said. “He's played both safety positions for us and even played a little corner at times so he has experience on the back end.

“He'll be a good fit for them. I think his best football is in front of him. He's still just a baby at only 17. He's not through growing.”

Ashford said the coaches at Jones have been in constant contact since they first offered him a scholarship and it didn't take long for him to realize that was the best destination for him.

He's ready to help Jones win football games.

“I'm just going to go in and do the best I can to help my team win,” Ashford said.

That's the mindset Ashford brought to the Chargers.

On defense, Ashford had 17 tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack and three pass deflections.

Ashford contributed 579 yards rushing on offense with six touchdowns. He added 18 catches for 234 yards and four more scores.

“Coach Ashley is a good coach and he used me a lot,” Ashford said. “In my senior year, he gave me the ball like I wanted. I was a weapon for the Chargers.

“I started playing football since the seventh grade and ever since I've been loving the game of football.”