New coach to head Coyoto football

The 2016 state champion San Jon/Grady Coyotes will start the 2017-2018 season under the direction of new head coach.

Adrian Jones of Tucumcari has taken the helm of the San Jon/Grady Coyotes six-man football team.

"I have not coached a varsity level team, but I'm ready to work with the athletes to defend and win another state championship," Jones said.

Jones is assuming control of the program following Coach Bobby Gomez's departure.

Gomez led the (7-0) Coyotes to a 47-46 victory over Lake Arthur on Nov. 12, earning the first state football title in school history.

Jones said he knows the shoes he has to fill are big, especially following a state championship season. He said despite never coaching at the varsity level before he could not pass up a chance to step up into a head coaching role.

"I knew I had to take the opportunity," Jones said. "i=It is something I've always wanted to do."

Jones said his love of the game is what prompted him to apply for the coaching position. He said he has been fascinated by the game since childhood playing pee-wee and running routes with his father.

In 2002, Jones was a freshman member of the Tucumcari High School 2A state champions Rattlers football team. He said he was also a member of the 2005 state runnerup Rattlers.

"I remember Adrian, he played as a receiver and in the defensive secondary," said John Span, Rattlers assistant football coach.

Span said Jones was a good player who loved to play the game. He said Jones has a football background but will have to adjust to the speed of the 6-man game.

Jones said since the start of two-a-days the team has been going all out with the same drive and goal, to defend and win back-to-back championships. He said the seniors have stepping up to take the place of those leaders lost to graduation.

"The reception by the team, faculty and community has been great," Jones said. "It's not going to be an easy task knowing they are the defending state champions. However, I believe in the abilities of these athletes and look forward to what the season will bring."

San Jon, a playoff contender in six-man since 2011, added Grady to the fold in 2012.

Following the co-op, the Coyotes improved, but after losing one quarterfinal and three semifinals games the prize seemed just out of reach. In the 2015 six man state semi-finals, the Coyotes (7-1 4-0), lost their sole game of the season to the Floyd Broncos (5-4, 2-2), a team they had beaten 60-32 two weeks prior.

San Jon entered last year's playoffs as the second seed, and got a favorable bracket when seventh-seeded Lake Arthur upset top-seeded Animas.