Football Fever
JHS Senior Leader Starts Season on High Note
By Amy Morgan
While it seems the NFL is just settling into its groove, high school football is moving toward playoffs. Johnson High School, typically among the top 6A programs in the state, started off with a 4-0 record and a decisive win over perennial rival Austin Vandegrift. It was in that game that senior safety Jacob Mazzocco nabbed two interceptions, ranking him first in district in that statistic by early October. Last year, the Jaguars made it to the fourth round of playoffs, with games continuing into December, Jacob reported, noting the team’s go-ahead, come-from-behind win over Steele is one of his favorite memories as a player. During the football offseason he also competes in long jump and triple jump on the JHS track team.
Jacob credits football Coach Miller as one who always has believed in him – pulling him up to varsity when Jacob was just a freshman and sticking with him through a string of injuries. “He never gave up on me and was always there to support,” Jacob said, adding he plans to recognize Coach Miller for his guidance at the Summa Cum Laude ceremony next spring.
Coach Miller also was instrumental in nominating Jacob for a Valero Bowl Scholarship, just one of three available for JHS male athletes. An award would add to the amount he’s already received from Trinity University, where Jacob’s committed to play football for the D3 program in 2027.
As for studying, Jacob’s not sure whether he wants to major in finance or neuroscience, as he’s considered a career in nursing after shadowing several surgeries and serving as an athletic trainer for the JHS baseball team. But he also enjoys breaking down numbers, studying investments and connecting with others, he said. Trinity offers the opportunity for him to follow either path, with the added benefit of staying in San Antonio.
Jacob’s family moved to the Johnson area when he was just a baby. He started playing flag football at the tender age of five and tackle by third grade. He took music lessons when he was younger and now plays guitar, piano and the drums for stress relief. Jacob’s part of the National Honor Society and enjoys volunteering with non-profits like the Food Bank, Diaper Bank, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Meals on Wheels, some of which he’s also served through the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL). He even took the helm as president of the Far North San Antonio chapter his junior year, stepping into the gap of leadership when the need arose. As president, Jacob ran the meetings, introduced the speakers and communicated logistics among organization members. He credits his mother with encouraging him to join, and Jacob enjoys the opportunity to deliver meals with her and serve alongside other friends who also are part of
the organization.
Another friend recruited him to be part of Johnson’s fledgling Pickleball Club this fall. As assistant coach, he runs drills for the co-ed group that plays on Saturday afternoons at Epoch Pickleball facility. “It’s fun,” Jacob said. “You can get competitive with it, but it can be a
chill thing.”
Jacob’s also a student leader for the Far North San Antonio chapter of Young Life, which combines students from both Johnson and Reagan high schools. The teens meet weekly for Bible study and worship. The Mazzocco family is part of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, but Jacob also often attends Community Bible or Northrock Church with friends.
Here’s hoping we’ll be seeing more of this student leader on the field if Johnson continues its winning football record through November.
