By Erik Harris, sports editor
SOUTH CAROLINA — Against a field of nearly 400 boats, Andrew Jones and Carson Underwood came away on top.
The Hewitt-Trussville High School pair put 10 pounds, 9 ounces on the scale last weekend to secure the High School Fishing World Finals championship at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.
“I still can’t even believe it… 398 boats and we beat them all,” said Jones. “It meant the world to us.”
The rising Hewitt-Trussville junior says fishing top-water really made the difference for their boat, putting two quality fish in their net on the final day of action. Jones and Underwood took turns pulling in three-plus pounders to cap off a win down the stretch.
“Going into that weigh-in, we really didn’t think we were going to have the winning bag but God was on our side, I guess,” said Underwood. “Everybody from Trussville has been so excited for us. The whole thing has just been amazing.”
With the win, Jones and Underwood score scholarship offers from Drury University ($128,000), Simpson University ($120,000), Kentucky Christian University ($90,000) and Bethel University ($56,000). The TBF is also offering $12,000 in scholarship assistance to any college of their choice. For Jones, Bethel University is still in play along with the University of Montevallo and the University of North Alabama. Underwood says he likes Montevallo with three years of high school remaining.
Both Jones and Underwood were right back on the water Tuesday, honing their ever-growing skills off the banks of Logan Martin Lake in Pell City.
“Any tournament is fair game for anybody,” said Underwood. “We just have to put in our work and the accomplishments could be great.”
High School Fishing World Finals standings
- Hewitt-Trussville High School Huskies – Andrew Jones and Carson Underwood – 10-9 (3)
- Madison County Red Raiders – Will Hart and Logan Fisher – 10-0 (3)
- Osceola Anglers – Grady Johnson and Dawson Turner – 9-8 (3)
- Lake Havasu High School Knights – Zachary Verbrugge and Brandon Verbrugge – 8-15 (3)
- Alhambra High School Bulldogs – Luke Beaty and Emmett Gargaro – 8-9 (3)
- Louisa Bass Club High School Fishing Team – Jacob Lycans and Nick Giompalo – 8-9 (3)
- Madison County Red Raiders – Levi Seagraves and Blake Hooper – 8-7 (3)
- Lumpkin County High School Indians – Cooper McDonald and Jake Barrett – 8-7 (3)
- Clarks Hill Youth Fishing Team – Brayden Batchelor and Evan Gonsalves – 8-5 (3)
- Hartleys Hawgs – Nathan Fiant and Brett Hill – 8-2 (3)