Tift's Soto, Nathan earn Bert Jones scholarships
May 26—TIFTON — Two days after graduating from Tift County High School, Abraham Soto and JaCoiley Nathan came back for one more accolade relating to their high school football careers. On May 21, both received scholarships from the Bert Jones Scholarship and Mission Foundation.
Specifically, Nathan earned a Bert Jones Memorial Scholarship, with Soto earning a Bert Jones Commitment Scholarship.
Jones, who was a wide receiver for the Blue Devils, died in a 1992 automobile wreck, months before his senior season was to begin. His father, Wayne Jones, soon started the foundation in his son's honor. A former football coach at Valdosta State, Jones is a longtime assistant at Berrien High.
"He always wanted to be a Blue Devil," said Wayne Jones. Before he had a chance to suit up for head coach Gene Bordie, Bert was a ballboy for Tift County.
Like Bert, scholarship earners from the foundation are committed. Each football winner at Tift has to have been with the program for four years. Wayne Jones encouraged Nathan and Soto to seek out a mentor in college to help them with on- and off-the-field decisions, and to commit to their faith.
"Focus on what you're doing," said Wayne Jones, "and try to make the right decisions. Be a leader when you're off-campus. Don't let anybody talk you into going the wrong way."
Soto is headed to Mercer University, where he dreams of medical school. Nathan will play football at Thomas University, which fields its inaugural football team this year.
Both players were linemen for the Blue Devils. Soto played offensive line, with Nathan manning the defensive line, where he earned All-Region in 2022. Besides football, Nathan participated in track during high school. Soto wrestled and advanced to the state traditional tournament this year.
"I've been doing this 31 years," said Wayne Jones, giving thanks to God for helping provide during that time. "We started out as a memorial fund," he said, but have expanded to a foundation.
