Coaches Corner - SS, NS, Liberty, JCM discuss Commissioners' Cup

Coaches Corner – SS, NS, Liberty, JCM discuss Commissioners’ Cup

After winning the Madison County Commissioners’ Cup three straight years, the North Side Indians want to return the coveted trophy to the Reservation.

Problem is, South Side got a good feel for the trophy in 2021, and Liberty High School would like to get in on the action.

“Last year didn’t start the way we wanted it to, but we finished strong (in 2021) and finished 5-0, ended up making the playoffs and playing for a region championship and winning the Commissioner’s Cup,” said Tyler Reeder, head football coach at South Side High School, “All we want to do is play with attitude and effort.”

Reeder made his comments when he and fellow coaches Scott Akin, Liberty; Cedric Hampton, North Side and Erit Turner, Jackson Central-Merry, met at Rock N Dough Pizza during the Commissioners’ Cup Media Day to discuss the upcoming season.

At Liberty, Akin is encouraged by the number of kids who are on this year’s roster.

“We’re starting to see the results,” Akin said, “We have our numbers up to 44, and we’ve had a successful summer. They are starting to see the results in the hallway and the classroom, but we have to put it on the field.”

Cedric Hampton was announced as the new head football coach at North Side on Tuesday, replacing Jesse Powell.

“Last year, we had high expectations … a lot of great talent,” Hampton said, “This year we have good group of seniors coming back. They are coming together, and we expect great things this season.

“We have a good group of guys who are going to pull together.”

Playing a junior varsity schedule one final year keeps JCM out of the running for the Commissioners’ Cup, but it doesn’t mean the Cougars won’t be competitive.

“We want to see disciplined, hard-nosed football,” Turner said, “We are extremely young, and we want to pound the ball. The best thing we can do for our young quarterback is run the ball.

JCM will play an eight game schedule and will be eligible to compete for the Commissioner’s Cup in 2023.

(PHOTO: High School players representing North Side, South Side and Liberty at Media Day, Wednesday)