By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It could be a script fresh out of Friday Night Lights.
As a senior in 2016, quarterback Garrett Hadlock guided Mount Vernon to its best season in more than a half decade, setting new school-records with 3,168 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He earned All-State honors and went on to play at SBU.
One of his backups was a skinny kid that hadn’t played much quarterback before, freshman Zach Jones.
Fast forward three years later and Jones is coming off a junior campaign that saw him pass for 2,418 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading Mount Vernon back to the Class 3 Final Four.
And, entering 2019 his new quarterback coach is Hadlock; full circle doesn’t quite explain it.
“My freshman year I didn’t know anything about playing quarterback,” said Jones. “He taught me everything I know. He taught me the little things whenever the coaches were busy and he was a good leader. Now it’s the same thing. He gives me those little things and keeps me engaged in the game. I get advice from a college perspective that I haven’t seen.”
Hadlock joined Mount Vernon’s staff this summer and has been tasked with helping Jones and the ‘Neers offense retool in preparation for what could be a third consecutive Class 3 Final Four run.
“It’s really cool for us,” said Mount Vernon Head Coach Tom Cox. “Garrett ran the scout team for SBU and was super smart. He was the scout team MVP back-to-back years. His size just kind of limited him. We’re excited about having him with us and can’t wait to get him more involved. The seniors this year were freshmen when he was a senior. They know him. It’ll be a role reversal for him, but he’s done well.”
Hadlock was a multi-sport athlete at Mount Vernon and his family name continues to churn out athletes across the Ozarks.
Returning to his old stomping grounds has provided a welcome return to familiarity, while also fully entrenching him in the coaching experience.
“It’s been great being back home and working with these guys and teaching them what I know,” said Hadlock. “We have a great community and they’ve been very supportive.”
For now, his main project is working with Jones.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Jones has some physical tools that not many Mount Vernon quarterbacks have had.
While he’s a converted quarterback that Cox applauds for his leadership skills, Jones is a tremendous athlete that can beat you with his arm or his legs.
That could make him a defensive nightmare in Cox’s spread offense.
“He’s definitely more athletic than me,” said Hadlock. “He can make moves that I could never dream of making. He can run it or throw it. I’m excited to see what he has in store for the team and hopefully another run.”
It’s that dual-threat ability that could make Mount Vernon even more explosive offensively despite losing All-Everything running back and linebacker Will Boswell.
Boswell brought more balance to Mount Vernon’s offense than in recent years. His graduation will shift leading receiver Carson Bowman back to running back, but Bowman will likely lineup all over the field to take advantage of his dynamic ability.
That could force more of the running game onto Jones, something he’s okay with and fully prepared for.
“I had an ankle injury in Week 2 and didn’t get to run as much as I wanted to,” said Jones. “I’m excited to have my mobility back. I didn’t get to run as much as I wanted to last year because of my ankle. I’ve been doing speed workouts this offseason and I’m really ready to go.
“Defenses don’t know what to expect with running quarterbacks; should they drop back in coverage or come blitz. It’s really an important aspect.”
One of the things Hadlock and Jones have worked on is limiting turnovers.
Jones was a bit of a gunslinger last fall, throwing 13 interceptions. Working on maintaining consistent mechanics and footwork, while also improving decision making and just having more reps during the summer will help limit that number in 2019.
“He needs fewer turnovers and that’s something he knows,” said Cox. “He threw 13 interceptions last year and he has to cut back on that number. He has a lot of confidence in himself and his arm and sometimes he tries to jam it in there. He’s gotten better about throwing it away and living for another down.”
Jones agrees.
“Throw it away from the defense has been Coach Cox’s No. 1 rule,” said Jones. “If you do that you get to live another round. I feel comfortable on the field now. Playing 7v7 gives great chemistry with receivers in knowing what they’re going to do and where they’ll be.”
That growth was on full display in July when Jones and the ‘Neers upset Joplin at the Eagles 7v7 Tournament. Mount Vernon went on to lose to Class 5 Glendale in the championship, only adding to the buzz of a team that returns four of its starting five across the offensive line.
Hadlock and Jones have had conversations about what it takes to lead as a senior, everything from the physical to the mental approach, with Jones believing the best advice coming in a simple, repetitive statement.
“He’s always telling me to relax, but he also tells me to keep some swag in my step. I need to play like I own the field,” said a reserved Jones with a smile.
As for grading his former teammate-turned-coach in his first few months on the job, Jones believes he’s passing with flying colors.
“He’s going to be a great coach.”
