GAME DAY AND THEY DON'T HAVE A PRAYER

JACKSON -- They can still throw Hail Marys.

But they can't say a public prayer.

The Supreme Court ruled this past June that schools may not have public prayers before athletic events, citing separation of church and state as grounds to ban the sentiment.

For Jackson -- one of the few schools in the state that has public prayers -- that ruling means an end to a long-standing tradition of a public prayer before home football games where different town clergy members would pray for safety and good sportsmanship.

Residents in Jackson are angry that their tradition is being taken away.

Amid several pockets of Jackson residents at the city park and at the school, not a single supporter of the court's ruling could be found.

Players, parents and coaches all voiced their displeasure.

"I think they should be allowed to pray," said Joe Grant, who was casually observing a Jackson football practice during two-a-days earlier this month. "I'm not that devout of a religious person, but I feel that if they want to do it, they should be able. I don't see where a small group of people should have a say over the majority. I think if the majority of people want one, then they should have one."

Outside of the locker room after practice, several of the players weren't aware of the ruling and couldn't understand why the prayer is being banned.

"I think we should have it," said Kyle Newell, a player for Jackson. "I pray before a game anyway."

Teammate Justin Thompson said he thought public prayer was okay "just as long as they don't force a certain religion on somebody else. We have a team prayer before we go out anyway."

Several players streaming out of the locker room concurred with Newell and Thompson.

Lin Baker, who was watching a little league baseball practice at the city park, said "I really believe we ought to do it every game. We're not forcing anyone to involve themselves in it."

Jackson superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said it looks like the school has little choice but to give up the prayer.

"We've done two things," Anderson said. "We've done research with our insurance and they said we would not be insured if somebody sued us. We also checked with our lawyers and we got a similar answer. If you violate a constitutional law, you risk losing public funds."

Anderson said the board is still exploring the school's options regarding this matter.

Anderson also said he has never received a complaint from anyone in the past regarding the prayer, whether it be from a visiting team or from a resident of Jackson.

"I haven't heard anyone who agrees with it," Anderson said. "Everyone I've talked to wants it to continue."