BOYS SOCCER PREVIEW
Nathan Robertson is taking charge in 2024 as the Greyhounds’ boys head soccer coach, but he does have one thing in his corner – senior leadership.
A group of at least seven seniors, and possibly more depending on what happens when winter sports wrap up, has made the transition easier as the season gets underway.
The Greyhounds, who scrimmaged Friday at GMC Prep, host Central on Thursday in their home opener.
“We’ve been out there practicing for about three weeks, and we have a pretty good group of seniors,” Robertson said.
“They’ve played a good bit of soccer together before, so I think that will help us out a lot. They’ll really be able to help the rest of the team not just about playing the game but also how to be a Greyhound on and off the field.” Nate Kimsey and Bo Hunter are two that Robertson has pointed to as having been vocal leaders a few weeks into the season in addition to another who comes in with a background of leadership, as well.
That would be Isaiah Denis, a vital part of the JCHS Army JROTC program the past four years who has previously risen to the rank of Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel.
“He’s really good at anything that comes with leadership. A lot of that comes from being in JROTC, so we’re obviously glad to have that,” Robertson said.
The Greyhounds’ seniors and others on the roster are still in the mode of working into the best fit on the field as Jones County’s coaches look to put the right combinations together.
After hosting Central on Thursday, the Greyhounds play Tuesday at Jackson, next Friday at Upson Lee. They’re part of seven non-region matches to start the season prior to the March 1 region opener against Locust Grove.
“The first few matches will give us a good idea of who can play where and do what, who has a good presence on the field.
The main thing is to find where they fit the best,” Robertson said. “Right now, it’s all about finding the right pieces and how they fit into what the gameplan is.”
