By Ellie Smith
Features Editor

Running down the soccer field into open space, Derek Jones has mastered the ability to be in the right place at the right time to make himself available and open to receive the ball from his teammates. His pure speed makes him stand out among other players and allows him to outrun the opposing team’s defense to work his way towards the net and create a goal scoring opportunity.

“Derek is a very knowledgeable striker and possesses the skills to execute,” said Varsity Coach Tony DiLeo. “He reads the game extremely well and makes outstanding runs. He has very good speed so he is not outrun by opponents and the ball skills to get out of jams.”

Jones is the only freshman to make the Westford Academy Varsity boys’ soccer team this year. He has been playing soccer since he was young and has always loved participating in the sport. His favorite part playing striker is being about to take shots on net and score as many  goals as possible.

“I’ve been playing for a long time, since I was really little,” said Jones. “I’ve always really enjoyed the sport, running all around the field and scoring.”

Jones observed his older brother Brad, a senior this year, playing soccer at WA for the past four years and decided to try out for the team as well.

After hearing about tryouts from his brother, he had a better idea of what to expect during tryouts. He spent the summer preparing for tryouts mainly by running, as coaches pay attention to who is in top condition. Players are also required to complete a timed two and a half mile  in under seventeen minutes.

“I did a lot of running over the summer because that’s one main thing that the coaches look for,” said Jones.

Jones also plays on a club soccer team throughout the year called NEFC.

Other than soccer, Jones also participates in basketball and is planning to try out for the freshman team next season.

Jones is slightly nervous about balancing schoolwork and sports, as this is his first year of high school and is not completely sure what to expect.

“I am a little bit [nervous],” said Jones. “Just because I know there is more work than there was in middle school.”

As it is early in his high school career, Jones is unsure of his goals for after high school and whether or not he is going to play soccer in college.

As the season continues, DiLeo is confident in Jones’s abilities and looks forward to seeing what he can bring to the team each game.

“He brings speed at the striker position that no other striker really has,” said Brad. “He also brings a lot of effort even though he is small and still a freshman.”