ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, December 23, 1995            TAG: 9512250030
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: DOUG DOUGHTY

JONES LEANING TOWARD UVA

Virginia has emerged as the front-runner for All-America running back Thomas Jones, the Group A player of the year from Powell Valley High School.

Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins said Friday that Jones has notified Notre Dame that he is canceling a visit to South Bend, Ind., scheduled for the weekend of Jan.19-21.

``I think you could say that he's leaning fairly heavily [to Virginia],'' said Robbins, who indicated that the status of a proposed third visit, to either North Carolina or Tennessee, is up in the air.

Jones, a 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, rushed for more than 3,000 yards and a state-record 49 touchdowns this year for undefeated Powell Valley, the Group A Division 2 champion. He rushed for 7,193 yards in his career, second on the state's all-time list behind Tabb's Terry Kirby (7,428).

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