MIDDLETOWN — Kali Jones wanted his Middletown Middies to find a way to win and learn from it.
That was on the forefront of items Jones touched upon once he took over Middletown’s football program during the offseason.
“Middletown controls Middletown,” Jones said. “If we take care of business, we’re a tough outfit. We’re not a real deep outfit, but we’re a tough outfit, and we proved that on Friday.
“The results are going to yield when it’s time. We’re just going to keep doing it the right way.”
The Middies are doing it the right way — right now.
Middletown defeated Troy 28-18 in a season opener on the road Friday to give Jones his first win at the helm. The former Withrow coach took over for Don Simpson, who stepped away after six seasons.
“It was big time. It was big time,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of buzz. A lot of people want to see if it’s real. A lot of people want to see Middletown do well, but someone will want to watch it to see if it’s going to be real.
“Getting that first win is big time — especially with taking over a new program on the rebuild. We’re getting these kids to believe in what they’ve been working for.”
Senior quarterback Jeremiah Landers threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Maximillian Johnson caught six passes for 95 yards and two scores, while senior Chandler Shields had four receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
“They are building a connection,” Jones said. “Chandler has proven to be a very reliable target. He’s been working on his craft, working on his route running. He is a sure-hands receiver. Same thing with Max as well. Those guys can play. To see that chemistry come together pretty fast is good to look forward to.”
Senior Tray Tillis led Middletown with 10 tackles, while junior J.D. Singletary logged nine tackles and a sack.
“Defensively, they played lights out,” Jones said.
TURNAROUND THE TURNOVERS
Landers threw two interceptions that put the defense in tough situations, which Jones said could have easily propelled the Middies further had things gone the other way.
Middletown, which also lost a fumble, didn’t force a Troy turnover.
“That comes with the process of learning how to win,” Jones said. “You have to learn how to win — learn how to capitalize on opportunities and take care of and value the possession of the football and things like that.
“We did a lot of good stuff. But we’ve just got to get better with some of the other items.”
MIDDIE ACCOUNTABILITY
Jones said he sat a good portion of his players during the first half Friday night. It wasn’t because he wanted to. It was because he had to.
“What a lot of people don’t know is that I disciplined 14 kids,” Jones said. “They were out a quarter or a half in the first half, which forced us to schematically approach things a little different.
“It was whether them being on time or missing practice,” Jones added. “So, those are some of the infrastructural items that we are really nailing down — because it pays dividends down the road for your program.
“We started out giving (Troy) a look offensively that they weren’t prepared for. We were able to get success out of that. Then we started working our guys back in.”
UP NEXT
Middletown (1-0) begins Greater Miami Conference play at home against Oak Hills on Friday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Barnitz Stadium.
“This week, we want to correct some of our issues that we had,” Jones said. “We want to make sure that we’re playing with a low-pad level. We’re going to make sure that we’re reading our reads early with confidence in what the coaches are trying to do schematically.
“I say it all the time, “Trust your coaches.’ We’re wanting them to trust what they’ve been taught and what we’ve been coaching.”
