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2026 South Jones Braves Team Preview

January 28, 2026
Prep Baseball Mississippi Staff

The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons at Pearl’s Trustmark Park, in the State Tournament finals at the end of May, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: South Jones Braves
Head Coach: Mason Strickland
MHSAA Classification: 5A
District Number: Region 3
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 26-9 (State Runner-Up)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:


+ Top Returning Pitchers:

More Names to Know

2026s:

  • RHP Layne Adams (2026)
  • C Aidyn Driskel (2026)
  • RHP Collin Flowers (2026)
  • RHP Brooks McCardle (2026)

2027s:

  • OF Peyton Shows (2027)

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

  • Beckett Johnson (2029)
  • Maddox Strickland (2028)
  • Cass Reid (2028)
  • Jackson Banes (2028)
  • Gage Butler (2028)
  • Mayse Dykes (2029)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ South Jones enters the 2026 season carrying momentum after a 26–9 campaign that ended with a Class 5A State Runner-Up finish. Under head coach Mason Strickland, the Braves bring back a productive nucleus that gained valuable experience during last year’s championship run, setting the stage for another strong showing in Region 3.

The offense returns several key contributors who helped drive last season’s success. Eyan Butler (2026) provides stability in the middle infield while setting the tone offensively at the top of the lineup. Mylan Dykes (2026) gives the Braves an athletic outfield presence with the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, while Braxtyn Jensen (2027) continues to emerge as a reliable infield option with developing offensive upside. Freshman standout Beckett Johnson (2029) adds an intriguing element to the lineup, bringing early varsity experience and projectable tools that already translate against older competition.

On the mound, South Jones leans on a trio of returning arms led by Logan Langley (2026), a right-hander who provides experience and competitiveness at the front of the staff. Walker Johnson (2026) offers a left-handed look with the ability to neutralize opposing lineups, while Beckett Johnson (2029) gives the Braves a young, high-upside arm who continues to gain confidence with each outing.

Depth on the pitching staff is bolstered by a strong senior class that includes Layne Adams, Collin Flowers, and Brooks McCardle, all capable of stepping into meaningful roles as the spring unfolds. Aidyn Driskel (2026) adds value behind the plate while also contributing offensively, and Peyton Shows (2027) is another name to track as an athletic outfielder who could see an expanded role.

With a blend of returning production, pitching depth, and emerging underclass talent, South Jones heads into 2026 with expectations firmly in place. If the Braves continue to build on last year’s postseason experience and get consistent contributions from both their arms and position players, they have the makeup of a club ready to make another deep run in Class 5A.

Find more information on South Jones High School’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @SouthJonesBSB
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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