On Wednesday, a signing ceremony was held at Warren Gym for 10 Brownwood Lion and Lady Lion seniors who will continue their athletic and academic careers collegiately.

Chance Jones, the District 2-4A Division I Football MVP, is bound for Hardin-Simmons to continue his career on the gridiron.

“I’m really excited about it,” Jones said. “When our last game ended I wasn’t ready to be done with football, so I’m glad to be able to get four more years.”

Regarding the decision to attend Hardin-Simmons, Jones said, “I wanted to go somewhere that cares a lot about their program. When I went on a visit there they preached about how they’re a brotherhood and I feel like that’s a place where I belong.”

Jones recorded 123 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 for loss, 1 interception, and 1 punt block from his linebacker position and completed 10 of 16 passes for 213 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions and 17 yards rushing on three carries in his lone start at quarterback against Big Spring.

The Lions finished the season with a 10-3 record, won their first district championship since 2010, and advanced to the third round of the playoffs.

Brownwood Lions head football coach Sammy Burnett said of Jones, “Chance was the unanimous MVP of our district, he moved to linebacker his senior year and was phenomenal, and he played quarterback when we needed him to. His character, in the face of adversity, in our biggest games and biggest moments he would rise up. He believed in himself, he believed in God and what He had in store for him, and he led his team. That’s more important than any accolades he’ll ever receive. The character he showed taught me something and I have no doubt he’ll be successful in whatever he chooses to do and any avenue he decides to tackle.”

Jones said his fondest memories of his time as a Brownwood Lion are, “all the friendships that I’ve made, the team meetings, the practices, the pre-game dinners, just everything about it.”