In the history of Milford Football there has been only one championship team and that was the 2008 squad, led by Marques Jones. It was a team built on a power running game and a strong defense. While there were many great players on that squad, everything ran through Marques Jones. The quarterback on offense, a starter in the defensive backfield, punter and kicker, Jones truly did it all. As a result, he has been selected to this year’s 12th Man Gridiron Club Hall of Fame.
A gifted athlete, Jones excelled at many sports. Besides football, he was once a soccer player in the USA youth development program and a star basketball player recording over 1,000 points while playing varsity basketball at Milford. The one thing Jones never did prior to high school was play organized football. It wasn’t until then coach and now principal in Georgetown, Dr. David Carter, spotted him playing flag football one day in gym class that the wheels were set in motion
“I was watching Marques come out playing quarterback and one play after another, he was throwing darts and making incredible decisions with the football, Carter said. “I almost couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I spoke with him a bit and he decided to come out for football as a freshman, he greatly exceeded my expectations.”
Jones impressed himself into football, as he did in everything in life, there were no half measures for him thanks to the support and guidance of his family.
“Honestly thanks to my father, Meridith, mother, Teresa and sister, Cheryl, I was raised in a loving and caring house that made it easy to excel. There were no half-measures in my life and really was because of all the love and support I received.” Jones stated.
It wasn’t an easy path from football neophyte to championship quarterback. In his freshman year, he began his education in 11-man football and quickly improved on his potential. By the end of his first year, he was ready for varsity, primarily as a defensive back, while all the while honing his skills and learning how to run the offense. By the time he was a junior, he was ready to lead the offense and led the Buccaneers on a magic carpet ride to the 2008 D-II State Championship .
“I knew going into that year that we were going to be good, of course you always want to win a championship, but after just a few games, the team started to believe we could. We were so talented at almost every position, and we were getting better every game, we could feel it.” Jones said.
Among Jones football achievements include Freshman Player of the Year, two time varsity MVP, Special Teams Player of the Year and the Johnson Outstanding Athletic Skills and Sportsmanship award. He was also recognized all-conference second team once and first team twice as All-Conference. He was also recognized as second team All-State.
Following high school, Jones would play two seasons of Division-I basketball at The New Jersey Institute of Technology. He would complete his business undergraduate degree at Clarion University. Then, he would proceed to earn his Master’s in Project Management from Georgetown University.
When asked about being named to the Hall of Fame, Jones responded “It is a great honor to be held in the same esteem as so many great football players. I am humbled by the honor and thank those that helped me achieve this recognition.”
While sports was important for Jones, it now takes a backseat to what matters most to him, family. He now lives in Milton and is married to his wife Leslie, they have two children Skylar and Micah.
“I have been truly blessed to be entering this chapter of my life. To love and be loved as I am is amazing and each day is a wonder. I can’t begin to believe how lucky I have been.”
Jones is the owner of Priority Ventures and Denali Contracting in Lewes Delaware.
