by Matt Wright, former school board member
One of the most discussed topics over the years has always been what sports would Lakeland Prep participate in and what classification would they be assigned? Now that the high school is scheduled to open in August 2022 (phasing in one grade at a time) the picture is becoming more clear.
With recent interviews and discussions from a variety of experts and stakeholders, including the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) and Dr. Ted Horrell (Lakeland Superintendent) parents and athletes can start to envision their high school athletic careers.
What Sports Will Prep Offer?
From our earliest discussions of a new high school back in 2014, a full variety of men’s and women’s sports has always been considered and that has not changed according to Dr. Ted Horrell. TSSAA sanctioned Sports currently being planned at Lakeland Prep will include:
Football
Basketball (Men & Women)
Baseball
Softball
Soccer (Men & Women)
Volleyball
Track & Field (Men & Women)
Cross Country (Men & Women)
Wrestling
Cheerleading
Dr. Horrell added, “Our hope and intention is to offer all these sports, plus some other sports like golf, tennis, swimming and lacrosse if students are interested.”
Starting in August 2022, Freshman athletes will play a schedule against other freshman teams and some JV teams (9th and 10th graders) depending on the school but Dr. Horrell emphasized that scheduling (conference and non conference games) will be up to the coaches for their freshman season. Once our athletes enter their Junior year a full varsity and junior varsity schedule will be played in all sports.
What Athletic Facilities Will Prep Build?
A full athletic facility is part of the new construction process to complete the high school. Some facilities are already part of the campus, including the turf football field and the soccer field (both with lights). The Lion football field had the visitor side bleachers installed last year but with construction a larger set of bleachers will be installed on the home side of the stadium, along with a track around the field, finishing the complete design. A new football scoreboard will also be installed and the existing scoreboard will be moved to the soccer field. Lighted baseball and softball fields, practice fields, a dedicated wrestling room, a weight room and a new 2,000 seat high school basketball and volleyball gym will also be constructed before August 2022. Laura Harrison, current Lakeland school board vice chair said, “We want our Lakeland athletes to have access to great facilities on campus so they can train and represent our city to the best of their ability.”
What Classification Should We Expect?
In an interview with Matthew Gillespie, Assistant Executive Director for the TSSAA, he expressed his excitement about Lakeland adding a new high school to the Tennessee sports landscape. Mr. Gillespie explained schools are assigned a classification based off a projected enrollment for a full 9th thru 12 grade. Many schools in Tennessee phase in one grade at a time as they open (Houston and Arlington are examples). Based on the student enrollment projection, the TSSAA assigns the school to one of 6 classifications in football and one of 3 classifications in basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc. Some smaller sports have a simple “small or large” classification system such as cross country, track & field, golf, tennis and wrestling. So 1A in football represents the smallest high schools while 6A represents the largest high schools. It’s important to note Mr. Gillespie pointed out the 2020-2021 year is the last year in the current classification system and there is discussion of possibly removing a class in football (5A would be the largest classification instead of 6a) and adding a class for other sports (so 4A would be the largest in basketball, baseball, softball, etc). The TSSAA plans to vote on possibly reclassifying sometime this year.
Dr. Horrell confirmed our projected 9-12 grade enrollment will be approximately 900 – 950. Based off current information that would likely place Lakeland Prep in the top 40% of high school enrollment in the state on day one of having all four grade levels. That means Lakeland Prep would be classified 4A in football and 2A in other sports.
So if we know what classification is most likely, what region and district would be home for the Lions? Mr. Gillespie said that was not possible to say at this time, but he made sure to emphasis certain things the TSSAA looks at when making a decision. “First is student enrollment of course. After that we look at two important factors. One is we like to align and balance our regions. If one region has 6 teams and the closest region has 4, we want those to have an equal amount of schools if possible. Second we look at travel. We want to keep students off the road as much as possible.”
Based on the current criteria above, the stakeholders involved and assuming the TSSAA does not reclassify for the 2021-2022 school year (taking a class away in football but adding one in other sports), it’s my opinion Lakeland Prep would be Region 8 (4A) in football and Region 8, District 15 (2A) in basketball, baseball, softball and soccer. Here’s how those regions and districts are currently aligned for the 2020-2021 school year.
Region 8 (4A) Football:
Bolton High School (Arlington, TN)
Craigmont High School (Memphis, TN)
Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School (Somerville, TN)
Millington Central High School (Millington, TN)
**Lakeland Prep High School (Lakeland, TN)?
Region 8, District 15 (2A) Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer and Volleyball:
Bolivar Central High School (Bolivar, TN)
Bolton High School (Arlington, TN)
Covington High School (Covington, TN)
Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School (Somerville, TN)
Haywood High School (Brownsville, TN)
Millington Central High School (Millington, TN)
Ripley High School (Ripley, TN)
**Lakeland Prep High School (Lakeland, TN)?
Based on my experience with athletics in Lakeland, I think the Lions have a strong opportunity for the state playoffs in several team and individual sports once a full varsity schedule is played. With the right coaches, parent involvement and proper scheduling of both the conference and non conference games (with local public and private schools), I have no reason to think Prep can not have a strong athletic program. Or as Mrs. Harrison said, “Academics will certainly be a focus at Lakeland Prep but athletics will have just as much support. We want our kids to excel in the classroom and on the field and that’s what I expect them to do.”
