This week’s guest for our ITG Next Florida “4 Questions with the Coach” spotlight is Demario Jones, head football coach of the Godby Cougars of Tallahassee. Football has long been a part of coach Jones’ life, as both a player and a coach of the sport. He is from Jacksonville, where he played for Raines High School before heading to South Georgia to play collegiately at Valdosta State University.
Before arriving at Raines, Jones was an assistant coach from 2013-2020 with the Valdosta High Wildcats. He then headed to Turner County for a season as defensive coordinator. In 2022 he was chosen from more than 30 applicants to take over the Godby football program. In his first season there, he began a quest to build the Cougars into a consistent winning program while at the same time instilling valuable life lessons in his players.
Let’s hear about that effort and more from Godby head football coach Demario Jones.
Q. Coach Jones, thanks for taking the time to join us as our 4 Questions guest. Last season was your first as the football coach at Godby. How would you describe the experience?
A. It was definitely an experience! I think anytime you go somewhere where there hasn’t been recent success, there is always some growing pains. For us it was overcome mountains. What we did do was lay the foundation for what we feel is our road to restoration. Godby Cougar football is well known in the state of Florida for great reason. Last year, my first year as head coach, will be my fondest memory as I continue to develop in this new role, because through adversity we still kept the faith and continued to advance the kingdom through our work with young people.
Q. How did the offseason go, including camps and other activities?
A. The offseason has been wonderful. Florida has a unique dynamic in that football revolves around so many other sports activities. It’s not like across state lines, where football is truly a year in and year out operation. The kids who did not jump into the high school transfer portal have been phenomenal and have achieved gains in the weight room and on the track that I believe will help provide an edge. We really pushed and challenged our kids this offseason to hit back at adversity.
Q. What can you tell us about your 2023 Godby football team’s personnel? Who do you have returning, and where will guys need to step up to replace key players who graduated?
A. The 2023 team has me excited to coach. We have a lively bunch of great kids who really represent Amos P. Godby High School. One of the things I’m consistently discussing with our principal, Mr. Desmond Cole, and our athletic director, Ms. Teresa Gunter, is providing a first- class experience for our kids that will help them want to strive for greater heights within their personal lives.
Obviously our offense is led by our senior-laden offensive line. I can’t say enough about Cam’ron Hoyte, Zion Mahone, Carlton James – who has had as good of an offseason as anyone – Charles Persall, and Ca’Marion Bush. Around them is a talented group of kids who we are excited about.
That group is led by sophomore wide receiver Tylan Vickers, who has offers from FSU, Miami, and UF to name a few. Sophomore quarterback Lazarus Chambers will be the signal caller and will be backed up by Mr. Utility, Ronajay Wiley. Around them are junior running back Demyric Bentley, who according to our coaches who are Godby alums, is an “Old School Cougar.” Junior wideout Zhilyn Martin and freshman wideout Jamarin Simmons round out the group.
Our defense will be anchored by multiyear starters Everett Valcourt and Deont’ae Cromartie. Same theme goes for defense in the fact that there are senior leaders in each group, surrounded by talented underclassmen who give us every hope to be excited about the future. Senior linebacker Tony McClain will be joined by one of the most selfless kids on our team, junior LB and RB Amari Jones.
In the secondary the group is led by athlete Jaylin Allen, who will do it all for us on offense and defense. Surrounding him in the secondary are senior LaWarren Chambers, sophomore Devin Anderson and Trevon Hunter. Another freshman, Tyler Walker Jr., helps round out the group, and he may be one of the fastest guys in North Florida and South Georgia
Q. Coach, you’ve always been about the bigger picture – building a winner while also shaping young men into even better human beings. I know you have plans that stretch beyond the Xs and Os, although teaching winning football is certainly at the forefront. What can you share with us about your plans as you move into Year 2 and beyond in the Godby football program?
A. Not correlating life into our football program is like saying something is “six one way and half a dozen the other.” What good is using our kids to build a successful football program without teaching or reinforcing the tools taught at home to be a successful husband, father, entrepreneur, doctor, or lawyer? Notice I didn’t say big-time college football or future NFL Hall of Famer, because we are all one injury away from needing a plan. So when I say six one way, I truly mean use football as means to learn to deal with life. Football is hard, it takes commitment, it takes self motivation and most importantly you’ve got to love it!
What I love more than anything is helping young people achieve a goal that they otherwise may not have believed they could achieve. So Year 2 is about family, protecting it, fostering an environment where we do what it takes to get and be where we want. Some nights it’s muggy, the mosquitos are out in droves, or it’s cold, wet, and rainy. In all scenarios the most talented don’t always win; the team that’s willing to do what it takes and hit adversity back is going to win!
I believe we are closer to having built that not just on the field but in the school building and other important facets in our lives. Go Cougars! Time will tell if we are back. God bless and thank you for the opportunity. As always, thank you to my beautiful wife and 1-year-old daughter, Mrs. Terri and Miss Taylor, for being my #1s in supporting others.
