According to Dr. Marlon King, superintendent of Jackson-Madison County schools, construction on a new Jackson Central-Merry High School is expected to be completed in August, but 2023 is the earliest the Cougars will be able to participate in football.
“Our current expectation is for JCM to participate in a full varsity schedule in all sports in 2021-2022, with the exception of high school football,” King said, “TSSAA football schedules and classification for the 2021 and 2022 seasons have already been established.
“JCM students interested in football will have the option to participate in a junior varsity schedule during this transitional period.”
King added students who transfer into JCM as a direct result of the forthcoming re-zoning by the school district will be eligible to compete in varsity sports for the Cougars without penalty from the TSSAA with the exception of football.
Also, the current TSSAA co-op agreement allows JCM-Early College High students to play football with North Side, and basketball with Madison Academic.
This fall, JCM & ECH will form an athletic co-op with JCM for all sports, placing all Cougar student-athletes under a unified brand.
King said the plan is for Madison Academic to continue its co-op agreement with South Side High School for football.
There is discussion about a multipurpose stadium and track complex that is to be built adjacent to Oman Arena.
