Stark, actually: Why a Canton teen runs football routes in a church parking lot
The "Stark, actually" featurettes are about people, places and things in Stark County. Prior examples have included everything from a place where elephants once roamed, to a baseball bat left by a New Yorker, on the Jackson Township grave of Thurman Munson.
WHAT: For as many as five hours a day during the summer, McKinley High freshman football player Joseph Jones practiced by himself in the parking lot of the Canton Baptist Temple. With the season underway, he still puts in extra time in the evenings, after team practices.
WHERE: Canton Baptist Temple parking lot, in the 500 block of Whipple Avenue NW.
WHEN: This photo was taken the evening of Sept. 19.
THE STORY: The 14-year-old Jones, a wide receiver and safety, wants to make the varsity team by the time he's a junior.
Using a series of sports cones and wide-open asphalt, Jones runs multiple drills to help improve his conditioning and route-running. He also runs routes over and over, sometimes imagining that he corrals a touchdown pass on an end zone fade throw.
"His father passed away when he was young ... he uses sports to keep his mind occupied," said Jones' mom, Tara Rupert.
The family moved to Canton from Springfield Township, near Akron, in November. Jones had played youth football there. So far, on the 4-0 freshman team, he's yet to get an opportunity on the field.
"It's a little disheartening," he admitted.
Still, the 5-foot-8, 130-pounder said he plans to keep working. His chances of playing varsity at Springfield High — which hasn't won since 2021 — probably would have come sooner.
"It's a whole different culture here at McKinley," he said.
Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark, actually: Joseph Jones runs football routes in Canton parking
