JA Raider Sports

From the first whistle to the final game, our athletes demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. The 2025-2026 athletic year at Jackson Academy was one for the record books, with six state titles across five sports, five state runners-up finishes, a program-record 20 athletic college scholarship signings, three Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selections including the first two ever in football, and two Gatorade Mississippi Players of the Year. It was a year that reminded everyone watching what Raider athletics is all about.

Congratulations to former Raider Dakota Jordan ('22) and the Eugene Emeralds on capturing the Northwest League First Half Championship and punching their ticket to the postseason! Dakota has been a key contributor, batting .278 with 65 Hits, 15 Doubles, 8 Home Runs and 42 RBIs

Best of luck to Dakota and the Emeralds as they chase a championship!

Good luck to Coach Box and the Texas Longhorns as they return to Omaha!

Here's hoping for a long stay at the College World Series. We're looking forward to welcoming you back to Jackson soon and hearing all about another memorable run.

Safe travels and Hook 'Em!

Kickoff is just over 9 weeks away, and we're updating the record book in anticipation of another season of Raider football.

One record that got a new owner last fall belongs to Jo Walker.

Walker rewrote the JA Football record book by throwing for a school-record 1,927 yards in a single season, setting a new standard for future Raiders. He finished with 22 TDs in the air and tossed 158 passes before his only interception of the year. He also had 75 carries for 490 yards and 9 TDs.

Congratulations to Deuce Jenkins (OF), Tai Jones (OF), Justin Word (DH) and Whit Davis (SP) for being selected to The Box Sports Academy Metro Jackson Baseball Team. It is comprised of the best 26 players from Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties according to high school and college coaches.

FULL ARTICLE:
https://mississippiscoreboard.com/the-2026-box-sports-academy-metro-jackson-baseball-team/

Congratulations to Schyler Chambers ('25) for earning Second Team All-American honors for his performance this year with the MS Christian University Track Team. He was among the twenty-two Gulf South Conference athletes that were recognized for the 2026 outdoor season.

Congratulations to Deuce Jenkins for being named The Box Sports Academy Metro Player of the Year broke the school record for RBIs (63) and helped break the team record for home runs (35) with his 11 on the season. You can read the story by clicking this link:

https://mississippiscoreboard.com/jackson-academys-justin-reed-and-deuce-jenkins-earn-the-box-sports-academy-metro-jackson-baseball-coach-and-player-of-the-year-honors/

Congratulations to Coach Justin Reed for being named The Box Sports Academy Metro Coach of the Year for guiding the Raiders to their best record since 2011 as they finished with 27 wins and a Top 10 Ranking in most publications. You can read the story by clicking this link:

https://mississippiscoreboard.com/jackson-academys-justin-reed-and-deuce-jenkins-earn-the-box-sports-academy-metro-jackson-baseball-coach-and-player-of-the-year-honors/

What a first year for Emily Buchanan ('23) in Clinton with MS Christian University!!!

She became just the third GSC female athlete in history and first in men's or women's tennis to be named Academic All-America Tennis Team Member of the Year in addition to garnering CSC First Team Academic All-America honors for her 4.0 GPA in the classroom.

She completed an All-America season in singles and doubles. In singles, she finished with a 22-4 mark at the No. 1 position for the Choctaws and ranked No. 4 in both doubles and singles from the ITA. Her doubles record was 20-6, with five victories over ranked opponents.

Congratulations to JT Thigpen ('22) and Cade Gadman ('22) for being named CSC Academic All-District this season.

The 2025-26 Academic All-District Baseball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.