ARLINGTON, Texas – AT&T Stadium has always been a special place for the Jones Family, but it might have gone to a new level on Saturday afternoon.
After all, the Cowboys' home stadium was the site of Highland Park's 16-7 victory against Temple in the Texas 5A Division 1 state championship game, capping off a 14-2 season with a state title.
Not only did the Scots win their fourth-ever state championship and their first since 2005, they did so thanks to the efforts of quarterback John Stephen Jones – the son of Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones and the grandson of team owner/general manager Jerry Jones.
"It's beyond my thought, that when we were building that stadium -- that I would be sitting here watching him play in the state championship game in the stadium," Jerry Jones said on Thursday afternoon. "I have to pinch myself."
It was no dream, though.
The junior quarterback ran for two touchdowns on the afternoon, providing all of Highland Park's offensive points, and was named the team's offensive MVP. The Scots sealed the win late in the fourth quarter when defensive lineman Turner Cox recorded a safety to take a two-possession lead with just 5:00 to play.
Both Jerry and Stephen Jones were among the 35,089 in attendance for the title bout, and the meaning of the moment was clear on each of their faces.
Speaking to reporters about the game on Thursday afternoon, Stephen Jones had to pause to collect himself when discussing what it would mean to see his son win a championship.
"It's just your son who you've seen work so hard to get something done," he said. "He's just put so much effort into this. He's always dreamed to be the quarterback at Highland Park. To watch his dream come true is fun. It's exciting."
That excitement was palpable as the game wound to a close, and the full Jones Family came to the field to join in the celebration.
It was just the latest moment in what has been an incredible football season for the family. Undoubtedly, they'll be hoping to celebrate at AT&T Stadium again on Sunday, as the Cowboys look to improve to 12-2 against Tampa Bay.
