Jackson no longer a Mr. Football finalist for Owls; status for game in question

Jeremiah Jackson (5) plays linebacker for Ooltewah. Ooltewah, Soddy-Daisy, Red Bank and Bradley Central took part in a 7 on 7 scrimmage at Ooltewah HIgh School, July 8, 2015. Jeremiah Jackson (5) plays linebacker for Ooltewah. Ooltewah, Soddy-Daisy, Red Bank and Bradley Central took part in a 7 on 7 scrimmage at Ooltewah HIgh School, July 8, 2015.

By Stephen Hargis November 20, 2015 2 min read

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Jeremiah Jackson

The TSSAA announced Thursday that it has removed Ooltewah linebacker Jeremiah Jackson from consideration for its Mr. Football award. Jackson was named as one of two finalists for the state’s Class 5A lineman of the year award Monday but was arrested on Tuesday evening and charged with one count of domestic assault.

Owls coach Mac Bryan declined to comment on whether Jackson would be allowed to play in tonight’s playoff quarterfinal home game against Rhea County.

“I can’t comment on anything involving the incident,” Bryan said.

According to the police report, Jackson’s ex-girlfriend said he slapped her in the mouth at the high school Tuesday night. The ex-girlfriend had ridden to Ooltewah’s basketball game against Arts & Sciences with Jackson and later told police he became upset because she was sitting with another guy.

Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.