Cherokee County High School senior Isaac Jones has never been one to shy away from trying new things. He developed that trait early in his childhood. He said he’s played soccer since he could walk, earning the nickname “Leadfoot” from his teammates. He’s also shown musical talent by playing trumpet in the Warrior band.

But there was something about football that really caught his attention. Isaac told his parents, Randy and Phyllis Jones, that he would like to try his leg at football. They were both reluctant to let their son play such a physical contact sport, but that all changed during Isaac’s freshman year. When the Warrior football team was searching for a kicker for 2008, Isaac wanted to see if he could help. One day, Jones was out on the field kicking under the watchful eyes of head coach Tripp Curry. And the rest is history.

“He was like ‘You need to come to practice with us now,’” Isaac recalled Curry telling him. “I begged my parents to let me play (football), and they weren’t interested in letting me, but coach told me not to worry about it.”

Curry took the initiative to explain the situation to Isaac’s parents, to see if he could work something out with them to let Isaac kick for the Warriors.

“I told them Isaac wanted to kick,” Curry said. “I called and talked to his mom and dad and said ‘Listen, Isaac doesn’t have to hit or do anything like that. If you just let him go over there and kick, we’ll work things out.’ They said that was good with them, and here he is. He’s been a kicker for us ever since, and he’s been a big part of our kicking game.”

That’s an understatement, to say the least. Isaac’s 109 total points during the 2009 season set a Alabama High School Athletic Association record for most points kicking in a season. His 82 of 88 extra points are the most kicked during a season. Isaac’s kicking helped lead Cherokee County to a 15-0 record and the school’s first football state championship, a 31-27 victory over Jackson in the Class 4A title game last December.

Isaac’s devotion to kicking for the Warrior football team has led to another endeavor, with this one involving the entire community. Isaac is helping raise money for the Cherokee County chapter of the American Red Cross Heroes Campaign, a grassroots community fundraiser where “Heroes” involve family, companies, churches, schools, civic clubs or professional organizations to support their fund raising efforts. For every field goal Isaac makes, donations will be made to the campaign.

“It all came about last year when I set the records,” Isaac said. “I got involved with youth leadership (at Gadsden State-Cherokee), and I wanted to do some good fund raisers for the county. Basically, I thought this would be a good thing to do, so me and my family put it together. We went around the town, got some sponsors, and we’re still doing that.”

Randy said he talked with the Cherokee County Red Cross’ Shelia Barrett to see what she thought of their son’s idea. Barrett suggested the Heroes Campaign would be a worthy cause.

“She gave him a letter showing their authorization,” Randy said. “He’s started going to businesses and individuals to get pledges. I’ve also worked on a flier for him. What he has so far is a total of pledges received worth $7.85 per point. Also, one business gave a donation of $25. He has been promised other pledges, but we have not got them on paper yet. We’re very proud of him.”

Isaac said he’s had fun doing something creative for the community, even though it puts a little added pressure on him to perform on the field.

“People are more interested in not only helping, but the way I’m doing it,” he said. “That makes them want to help. It’s really fun just to go around town and ask people. I’ve been the last two weekends, and I’ve had some pretty good success. I know it’s hard with the economic times asking for money, but I just thought this would be a good cause. I’m just glad to help out any way I can.”

Isaac said he’s thankful to his teammates for allowing him the opportunity to kick for them. He said he wouldn’t have gotten to this point without them, let alone kicking for a cause like the Heroes Campaign. Curry said knowing what Isaac is doing for the community puts a little more pressure on him making coaching decisions during games this season.

“The biggest problem now is what do you do on 4th-and-1 on the 15-yard line?” Curry said. “Everybody’s wanting you to kick the field goal. If you go for it and don’t get it, it’s a double whammy now. We’ve still got to game plan and try to keep that focus on the game plan, but it does come into effect. It’s in the back of your mind. When it gets to that point, that’s the first thing that pops to the front of your mind, Isaac and the American Red Cross.

“It’s funny how you try to block that out and coach a game, but that’s what comes to the forefront automatically. Football is about the kids, but it’s about the community too. It’s just exciting for Isaac to be part of the Red Cross Association doing this. The Red Cross is such a great organization. They do so much, and they help in so many ways.”

Barrett is the community’s Heroes Campaign chairperson. She said her organization has tried to revamp the program by getting several projects going, with Isaac’s kicking being one of those. “I just think it (Isaac’s kicking) is a great idea,” Barrett said. “It was all his idea. He just wanted to donate the money somewhere, so I said the Heroes sure could use it. We just thought that would be a good place to put the money.”

Barrett said the fundraising goal for the Heroes Campaign is $20,000. In addition to Isaac’s kicking, other fundraising events have been planned for the Heroes Campaign. On Aug. 7, an official kickoff was held at the Heroes Wall of Fame on South River Street. Photographer Patti Ford held a special promotional event last Thursday through Saturday. Biker Shack 411 has a benefit ride planned for Oct. 30.

Barrett said all Cherokee County schools, including the Career Technology Center, have their own individual fundraising efforts. She also said several local businesses are displaying Red Cross squares for those who have made donations of $1 or more.

Barrett said donations have come in on a regular basis, and over $7,300 has been raised for the Heroes Campaign so far. She said a new Wall of Fame will be unveiled for those donating to the project at the Centre Fall Festival on Oct. 2.

If you would like to make a donation, you can contact Barrett at the First Baptist Church Recreational Outreach Center at 300 East Bypass or the Red Cross office in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center. You can also contact Barrett at (256) 630-4131.