by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Darris Jones is Mohawk from Kahnawake. He is a sophomore at Kahnawake Survival School in Kahnawake, Quebec. His lacrosse teams are the KSS Aukwets (Mohawk for Eagles), Team Haudenosaunee, 315Elite, Akwesasne Snake Island Muskies and Rochester Jr. Knighthawks. He also plays hockey for the Kahnawake Mohawks.
Jones team experience is at the elite champion level. He was a member of the 2021 U15 Team Haudenosaunee IIJL Lacrosse World Champion, 2022 U16 Team Haudenosaunee IIJL Lacrosse World Champion, and 2023 KSS GMAA Field Lacrosse Champion.
“I always go 100% when playing this gift from the Creator,” said Darris Jones. “The good medicine of the game consumes me.”
“To prepare for events I keep my lacrosse stick in my hands as much as possible. I also eat right and exercise. If I take care of my body it will take care of me,” added Jones.
“My main mentor is my father and coach Al Jones,” said Jones. “He has played at every level of lacrosse. Professionally in the NLL, Sr A, Sr B, World Stage with Iroquois Nationals and Jr B. He has played in 17 Sr B President Cup Canadian National Championships tournaments. He has absorbed a great deal of lacrosse.”
“Now he passes everything on to me. It’s nice to live with a very experienced player and coach,” added Jones.
Al Jones is Darris’s father and coach. He said, “Darris has a very good work ethic. He is constantly striving to improve himself in any way possible. Be it on the sports field, as a student, friend and at his job.”
“Darris can play both ends of the lacrosse floor,” said Al Jones. “He takes defence very seriously and can put the ball in the net. He knows that the goalie is the last line of defence. The defender’s job is to make sure the opponent doesn’t get to his goalie.”
“Darris gives it his all to make the goalies job as easy as possible. Darris has also played goalie and knows how tough the job is. He gives major respect to any player willing to get between the pipes. He follows the philosophy that defence wins championships,” added Al Jones.
