You might walk right by Jonathan Ledesma. He is not an imposing young man. Slightly built, the only really distinguishing thing about his appearance is his smile. It pretty much lights up the whole area.

However, in a year of tremendous athletic achievement by local athletes, Ledesma stands alone.

The Mineola senior scored the most goals – 51 – of any scholastic soccer player in the state this year. Each one of those 51, Ledesma shared, “Filled his heart.”  

That is not just in class 3A, that is the most goals of all classifications, through the largest 6A schools. Ledesma’s 51 goals placed him third nationally. 

If one adds the 17 assists which Ledesma generated, it places him first in the nation in goal appearances.

Ledesma’s amazing production this year as a Yellowjacket was such an exclusive performance that it requires going back and checking. It is that rare. 

The stats bear it out. In 19 games, Ledesma scored 51 goals (2.7 goals per game). The national average of goals per game is 0.5. That should begin to place the achievement in its proper place. 

What is even more amazing is that this scoring production came from such a mild-mannered senior. However, anyone who witnessed a Mineola soccer game this year can attest that Ledesma undergoes quite a transformation once he steps onto the pitch. 

He becomes – as one opposing coach described – a beast. Ledesma has the seldom-seen combination of strength and speed. When matched with his well-developed soccer intellect, he becomes a scoring machine.

As one may expect, Ledesma’s relationship with ‘the beautiful game’ began as a youngster. Under the guidance of his Uncle Jaime, Ledesma was playing at least one, and often two, age groups above him. 

As improbable as it sounds, he actually began playing as a 5-year-old in adult pick-up games at the local park in his hometown of Corpus Christie. 

Ledesma described his relationship with soccer simply as, “the happiest thing.” Soccer was a part of him.

He came to start for two years on the Rockport-Fulton High School varsity team, just outside Corpus Christi. 

Two years ago, Ledesma’s father, Edgar, – a former jockey and present horse trainer – purchased a ranch near Lindale. Step-mom Kerianne began researching schools in the area.  

“It was actually academics, and not athletics, which led to the decision to attend Mineola Schools,” Ledesma related.

Jonathan joined the Yellowjackets as a mid-fielder for his junior year. 

“It was a tough year for the team, especially playing against the 4A schools,” he admitted.  

In the off-season, Ledesma had a sit-down with Mineola soccer coach Shelby Turner, “I told him I wanted to make the playoffs, score 50 goals and be named District MVP.”  

Turner acknowledged that a playoff appearance and an MVP were clearly within Ledesma’s grasp. Fifty goals, the coach admitted, would take something special. 

The senior season unfolded with each opposition side game-planning on how to neutralize Ledesma. Double-teams were commonplace, and triple-teaming was not uncommon.

There was simply no denying Ledesma’s tenacity in gaining possession and relentless movement forward. His finishing was top-shelf.

Early in the season, at halftime of a particularly tough match against Athens, Mineola was scoreless and down by a couple of goals.

Turner approached Ledesma and simply told him, “I believe in you. You will become one of the greatest scorers in the state.”

Ledesma scored three goals in the second half. 

Not only did the Yellowjackets make the playoffs, but they won a bi-district title against 4A competition. 

Ledesma combines several highly-productive soccer traits.

His explosive acceleration catches many defenders by surprise as he is able to put pressure on the ball in an instant.

“Throughout the game, I watch each defender very closely, waiting for that moment when they make the same first touch, then I attack.”

He also demonstrates uncanny knowledge of exactly where he is on the pitch.

He explained, “I use the markings on the field, the positions of the defenders, and when attacking I will often take a quick glance to locate the goalkeeper. You can’t take the time to view the goal itself, you just have to know where it is.”

His 2025 exploits are even more remarkable when considering that three times a week he would drive to Dallas to practice with the club team DKSC.  

Each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, Ledesma would practice for one hour with the Yellowjackets before driving to Dallas to make his second practice that evening.

His membership in DKSC was another way to showcase his talent. 

It was the persistence of Kerianne which earned him a try out. In that one-time try out, Ledesma scored with a bicycle kick. He was invited to join the team. 

The squad has a 14-0-2 record and will play in the national semi-finals for 17/18-year-olds the first weekend in May in Oceanside, Calif.

One might assume that such success may lead a young man down the wrong path. This is Jonathan Ledesma, however. The young man has chosen not to undertake any activity which would degrade his physical abilities. 

He has forsaken tobacco, alcohol and tattoos. As a role model within the game, he closely observes how Cristiano Ronaldo maintains his physical readiness. 

Ledesma also keeps a long list of people who have sacrificed on his behalf. Family tops the list. 

Despite his appeals to join the workforce, Edgar and Kerianne have turned down those offers. They have reassured their son that he needed to pursue his dreams.

“We are honored to have you as our son,” they told him.

Ledesma speaks with ease and admiration for his Mineola teammates, especially “his man in the midfield, Michael Camargo.” 

In addition to the upcoming national tourney, Ledesma just committed to play soccer at Nelson University in Waxahachie.    

“Coach Turner recommended the university as a competitive finishing school for my skills,” he said. “The end game of course, will be reaching Major League Soccer.”  

Jonathan Ledesma exhibits a mature perspective far beyond his age. “My ability to play this game,” he offered, “is a blessing from God.”