2024 Interview with the talented Jonathan “JonJon” Stevens Jr. from Westerville North High School

 

Jonathan Stevens Jr.

Westerville North

DB, WR, RB

2025

What were your goals entering the 2023 season?

Compete hard and learn as much information about football as possible from the new coaching staff to help win games for my team.

Were you able to achieve those goals?

Definitely, I learned a lot about football, and we had a great season compared to those in the past.

What were some of the changes that Coach Jackson made that helped turn the program around?

Culture change was the main one. The team having to wake up every morning at 5 to get ready for practice definitely made the team take things seriously and build a winning attitude.

I was able to cover the South vs. North game. The crowd was large, loud, and crazy at times. The game did not go the way you guys wanted. What must you guys do differently to end their streak this season?

Everybody has to be on the same page; people can’t be trying to do their own thing while trying to be heroes. We all need to come together, and we’ll be in great shape.

What was the high point of the season?

Being able to win a playoff game is something that we haven’t done in over 20 years.

The Warriors went 9-3 in 2023. Who was the best team that you guys lost to, and what made them so good?

That’s a hard question because everybody we played we had an opportunity to beat, and every game we lost we beat ourselves.

Who is the best player you have ever faced in a game, along with the team he played for?

Kaden Saunders, my freshman year. He played for Westerville South. He was electric and all over the field, and we had trouble stopping him.

Looking at just the road game, what stadium has the best overall atmosphere?

Westerville South. Like you said, it was loud, and a lot of people were there. The stakes were really high, so it meant something to the fans and both teams.

What position do you feel you are the best at?

I feel I am best at DB. Although I’m fairly new to it, I’ve learned a lot about the game this year and feel I can show off my athletic ability and versatility at this position the most.

What is the toughest part of a Westerville North practice?

Nothing was really tough; I enjoyed coming to practice and working to get better and learn more as a player.

Where should the state finals be held?

The new Columbus Crew Stadium is named after Columbus being the capital of Ohio and how beautiful that stadium is.

If you could change one rule in high school football, what would it be, and why?

If you fall down without being touched, you shouldn’t be considered down. This is how it is in the NFL, and there were multiple times I had an interception or catch and wasn’t able to score.

Who is your favorite athlete?

De’anthony Thomas was so fun to watch on the field, and he played sort of the same role I do on offense.

What is your favorite class or subject?

Chemistry and math in general.

Who is the one pro-football team you could never root for?

The Chiefs, because they’ve been winning too much recently.