The Jones College men’s soccer team enters the 2026 season with a chance to do something no other team in program history has done.
After winning the MACCC, Region 23 and Gulf South District championships last season, the Bobcats enter this year looking to win back-to-back district titles for the first time in program history.
Jones finished 16-3-3 last season, tying the program record for wins in a season. The Bobcats went 9-1-1 in conference play and finished the year ranked No. 10 in the NJCAA Division II poll.
Their season ended at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, where Jones defeated St. Louis 3-1 before playing eventual national champion Phoenix College to a scoreless draw.
The Bobcats enter the 2026 season ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll, with head coach Brendan Connolly entering his eleventh season as head coach.
“We are really excited with our team this year, and we are challenging them to be the first group to win back-to-back Gulf District Championships,” Connolly said.
As a two-year college, Jones loses around half of its roster each year, making it harder to build off the team from the season before. Still, Connolly has built a winning standard within the program that each new group is expected to continue. This season, it will be on the returning players to help keep that tradition going and pass it down to the new group.
Forward Braden Buchanan is one of the biggest returners after finishing second on the team with nine goals and adding six assists last season. Midfielder Mario Novaku also returns after recording two goals and tying for the team lead with nine assists.
Stanley Georgiou returns on the back line after starting 20 games last season, while Dillon Watson appeared in all 22 games and made 13 starts. Kinson Smith, Ethan Duarte-Sanchez and Gavin Myers also return for their sophomore seasons with high expectations.
“The roster is quite an even split of returning and incoming players,” Connolly said. “We are hoping the experience alongside the new energy will help us to have a great season.”
With over 10 freshmen listed on the roster, several new players will be asked to step up and play early on. This group comes from all over Mississippi along with several international players, including midfielders Essa Jadama and Harry Guess and forwards Louie Fitzpatrick and Lyle Hardisty, who all come to Jones from England.
The Bobcats will also have new faces in goal after losing both goalkeepers from last season. This year, the goalkeeper room welcomes three freshmen and one sophomore.
Jones will not have much time to figure out its new group with several tests throughout the schedule.
The Bobcats open the regular season against Southern Union State and will face several other out-of-conference opponents before getting into the MACCC portion of the schedule. Jones opened up the season with a 3-0 win against Southern Union, then beat #13 St. Louis 6-0 at home.
“All the games will bring their own challenges, and we are working hard now in preseason building a team that is confident facing each of them,” Connolly said.
Conference play will once again give Jones several tough matchups. The Bobcats are one of three MACCC teams ranked in the NJCAA Top 20, along with No. 10 Pearl River and No. 16 Hinds.
Jones went unbeaten against both teams during the regular season last year, including a 3-3 draw against Pearl River and a 2-0 win over Hinds. The Bobcats later faced Hinds again in the postseason and won in penalty kicks.
“We will take each game as it comes,” Connolly said. “Our aim is to be the fittest and most prepared team.”
With players coming and going every two years, coach Connolly has truly built a known standard here at Jones, and he has continued to find ways to keep winning. Connolly has led the Bobcats to six MACCC championships over the last eight seasons and three national tournament appearances.
“Each year we focus on maintaining high standards and creating an environment where each player can excel,” Connolly said. “The focus is always on the team and our common goal of winning.”
With another mix of returning players and new faces, Jones will look to keep that winning culture going in 2026. This year, the Bobcats have the chance to add something new to it with the program’s first back-to-back Gulf District championships.
The Bobcats play at home again at 6 p.m. September 10 against Dyersburg State.
by Jackson Vella
