Yasir Jones Named NY Jets High School Player of the Week

Huntington senior Yasir Jones was named the New York Jets High School Player of the Week for helping the Blue Devils topple defending Suffolk County champion Half Hollow Hills East on its home field last Saturday afternoon.

The Jets and Gatorade will be recognizing a player of the week every week during the 2025 season. In recognition of his achievement, Jones received a $1,000 donation from the Jets and Gatorade made in his name to support the Blue Devil football program.

Jones rushed 24 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a pass for a 16 yard gain. Defensively, Jones recorded one tackle and he forced a Hills East fumble.

The senior overcame late game leg cramps to help lift Huntington over the Red Hawks, 28-14. Hills East came into the game ranked No. 1 in the 14 team strong Suffolk Division II. Huntington was ranked No. 3 in the pre-season.

“Yasir Jones, better known to his teammates as ‘Yaya,’ has proven to be one of the best premier running backs on Long Island,” Huntington head coach Ronald E. Wilson said. “At one point during the game, he told the offensive coordinator Chris Taylor during a timeout, ‘Coach, keep feeding me until I’m full;’ In other words, let me work for the team and keep running the ball. That's been him all pre-season and now in our first game where he ran the ball for three TD’s against the No. 1 ranked team in rugged Division II. He is a young man that’s very reserved and doesn’t say much verbally, but when those pads come on, he's very loud.  He has this uncanny ability to run like Derrick Henry of Alabama who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. He runs with a unique combination of size, speed, and power, utilizing his physical gifts to overwhelm defenders with both explosive bursts and brute strength.”

Huntington will be counting on Jones throughout the season. “He employs a punishing style that breaks tackles, breaks off long runs, and consistently finishes strong,” Wilson said. “His powerful stiff arm and ability to run through defenders are defining traits.  His offseason hill workouts built the mental toughness and lower body strength necessary for his demanding style of play. I expect he will continue to improve each week.”