As week three of West Tennessee high school football kicks off, there is one thing on the minds of the Jackson-Madison County School System football teams- the Commissioner’s Cup.
Players from Jackson-Central Merry, Southside, Northside and Liberty Technology will compete to not only bring the trophy back to their home turf, but win bragging rights for their respective first responder teams.
Being new to the competition, JCM is hoping to come out strong for the Jackson Fire Department.
“I tell our guys to keep all the ducks in a row and keep priorities based on the game that we are playing,” said Erit Turner, JCM Head Football Coach. “I really enjoy the competition and being able to have a chance to go to the playoffs.”
Coach Turner’s team is currently 1-1, with a 32-0 win over Liberty and a 21-19 loss against Southside. They are scheduled to play Northside on Sept. 29 on their home field.
Unable to win the cup over the past six years, Liberty is hoping to encourage their young team so that the Madison County Sheriff’s Department can claim a spot on the trophy.
“We are rebuilding from the bottom up with the youth we’ve got,” said Scott Akin, Liberty Tech Head Football Coach. “We want to win that cup. We are going to build every year and try to be a force to win the cup.”
Currently, Liberty Tech is 0-2, with a 54-8 loss against Northside and a 31-0 loss against JCM. They will play Southside on Thursday, August 31 at Southside High School.
Northside High School claimed the trophy from 2018-2020, and their goal is to prove to the Jackson Police Department that they can bring it home again.
“We want to try to get back to our standard,” said Woodrow Lowe, Northside Head Football Coach. “Our goal is to come out and win all the games. Then we will get a cup, and bring it back north.”
Northside’s record currently stands at 1-1, with a 39-15 loss against Crockett County High School and a 54-8 win against Liberty Tech. Northside will meet JCM on Sept. 29 and Southside on Oct. 6.
Southside High School is entering this season with high hopes to defend the cup and keep the Madison County Fire Department on top, as they have for the last two years.
“When you are playing for the city, you’re playing for pride and bragging rights among the people that you’ve grown up with and see after school,” said Lester Narcisse, Southside Head Football Coach.
Southside has a record of 1-1, with a 22-9 loss against Ripley High School and a 21-19 win over JCM. Southside will face Liberty Tech on Thursday, August 31 and Northside on Oct. 6.
The Commissioner’s Cup is sponsored by the county commission and serves as an effort to promote civic and community pride and also awareness for county leaders and first responders.
