Paci Family Football Leadership Award Presented to Yasir Jones

The Paci family is synonymous with Huntington High School football. The Paci’s have been associated with the Blue Devil gridiron program for more than 53 years.

Yasir Jones garnered this year’s Paci Family Football Leadership Award and the personalized plaque and $500 stipend that goes with it. He knew this wasn’t just a typical award. He plans to play football at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The scholarship was presented at June’s Blue Devil senior athletic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Hundreds of seniors, parents and district officials attended the festivities.

“The Paci Family Football Leadership Award honors a family that for three generations has been integrally involved in the Blue Devil football program,” master of ceremonies Michael Schwendemann told the crowd. “It is presented to a player who exemplifies everything that the Paci family holds dear: Scholarship in the classroom; leadership on and off the field; an unquenchable desire to win; sportsmanship and fair play; fun in competition and high personal standards along with an admirable set of goals.”

John Paci, Jr. coached the Blue Devils for many years and his sons, John Paci III and James Paci both starred on the team at quarterback. John Paci IV was the most recent family member to wear a Huntington uniform. He earned All-State honors at quarterback before heading off to Lafayette College.

Jones chased down a spot on the All-State football team last fall. The 6’2, 190 lb. teenager rushed 174 times for 1,258 yards and 24 touchdowns this fall, helping to lead the Blue Devils to seven wins and a spot in the Suffolk Division II semifinals.

“Yasir was one of the most dynamic and explosive running backs we have had at Huntington in many years,” head coach Ronald E. Wilson said. “His field vision, quickness and ability to create plays made him a true game-changing athlete. Over the past two seasons, Yasir not only excelled as our premier running back, but also stepped into the quarterback role when needed; a position he was not accustomed to, yet he embraced it with maturity and leadership. His versatility and competitiveness have been instrumental in our success.”

Jones’ 24 rushing touchdowns was the third most in the county. He also added 18 receptions for 199 yards and two receiving touchdowns. “While some may compare raw statistics, it is important to note that Yasir faced some of the toughest defenses in our division, yet his production never faltered,” Wilson said. “His relentless effort and consistency were driving forces behind our phenomenal season, culminating in a Big 4 championship, the program’s first in 12 years.”

In the county semifinals against a powerful Half Hollow Hills East team, Jones showcased his dominance by rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns. “He was our go-to guy in every aspect from running and catching out of the backfield to providing key blocks for our quarterback and receivers,” Wilson said. “Yasir’s all-around skill set and football IQ elevated everyone around him.”

All-Division on the football field in 2023 and 2024 and All-County this past fall, Jones was All-Division in track last spring. At Huntington he has played on the football and basketball teams and on the track and field team.

Jones was recognized twice this season by Newsday as a Gridiron Great and as the New York Jets’ high school Player of the Week. Newsday named him its Athlete of the Week, “further demonstrating his status as one of the elite players in the region,” Wilson said.