Jones Rushes Into Record Books in Laguna Hills’ Win

It wouldn’t have been nearly as dramatic if Laguna Hills running back Michael Jones had broken Ray Pallares’ Orange County career rushing record with a two-yard plunge over right tackle. So Jones decided to race into the county record books in style.

Needing 23 yards to eclipse Pallares’ 12-year old mark, Jones dashed through a huge hole on the left side of the line and sprinted untouched, 77 yards to the end zone on the opening scrimmage play of the second half. And as he raced down the left sideline, Jones’ mind raced to the heavens.

“I was thinking, I just wished my father could have been here to see me right now,” said Jones, whose father, Michael W. Jones Sr., died in a boating accident 14 years ago.

Jones’ father would have seen his son smash the county rushing record Friday night. Jones went on to score two more touchdowns and finish with a season-high 259 yards and five touchdowns in 17 carries in Laguna Hills’ 50-12 victory over Estancia in front of 3,200 at Mission Viejo High. After being held to 50 yards in his first 12 runs, Jones scored four of the next five times he touched the ball on runs of 45, 77, 75 and 10.

“I got some big holes from my offensive line,” said Jones, who also had a 55-yard run called back in the first half because of a holding penalty. “A lot of people could have run through those holes.”

Estancia Coach John Liebengood said his team did its best to delay Jones’ romp into the history books.

“When you only have 27 players, it’s pretty tough,” Liebengood said. “We just wore out. He’s just an outstanding back. He’s hard to stop. We wish him all the luck in the future.”

Jones shared his record with his large extended family and his mother, Martha, who hugged her son after his teammates hoisted him on their shoulders and carried him to the sideline.

“I just told him congratulations and that I loved him,” she said.

Jones was also congratulated by Principal Wayne Mickaelian and Pallares, who presented the record-breaking football to Jones during a ceremony on the field.

“He’s such a great kid,” said Pallares, now a bricklayer living in Placentia. “I’m just happy someone with a great attitude could break it. It’s nice that he was as humble I was when I broke it.”

Jones’ career rushing yardage now stands at 5,539 yards, 142 yards more than Pallares had during his three-year career at Valencia that ended in 1985.

“Records are meant to broken,” Pallares said. “I knew this day was coming. Michael’s will be broken too.”

Jones, whose team improved to 5-1, seemed relieved to be moving out of the spotlight.

“It means a lot to me, but I’m glad it’s over,” he said. “That’s a lot of weight off my back. Now, I’d like to keep going with my season.”

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KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Michael Jones broke the Orange County career rushing record by gaining 259 yards in Laguna Hills’ 50-12 victory Friday over Estancia. The leaders:

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1. Michael Jones 5,539 Laguna Hills, 1995- 2. Ray Pallares 5,397 Valencia, 1983-85 3. Reuben Droughns 4,887 Anaheim, 1993-95 4. Derek Brown 4,878 Servite, 1986-88 5. Leo Kosi 4,873 Rancho Alamitos, 1994-96

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SOUTHERN SECTION CAREER RUSHING LEADERS

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1. David Dotson 7,257 Moreno Valley Valley View, 1989-91 2. George Keiaho 6,615 Ventura Buena, 1990-93 3. Russell White 5,998 Encino Crespi, 1986-88 4. Eliel Swinton 5,904 Van Nuys Montclair Prep, 1990-92 5. Deonce Whitaker 5,667 Ventura Buena, 1990-93 6. Jermaine Lewis 5,636 Lancaster Antelope Valley, 1993-95 7. Michael Jones 5,539 Laguna Hills, 1995- 8. Ray Pallares 5,397 Valencia, 1983-85

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