MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Chassaniol, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND SALUTING THE PEARL "PIRATES" FOOTBALL TEAM, COACH OF THE YEAR JOHN PERRY AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR TYLAN KNIGHT FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR PERFECT SEASON.
WHEREAS, the players on the 2017 Pearl "Pirates" Championship Team were eighth graders when they were told, "You'll be the best class that ever plays for Pearl High School." Hearing it then, they didn't know where they would be four years later. The perfect season was destiny; and
WHEREAS, on a crisp, cool, clear December 1, Friday night at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the Pirates made their coach a prophet. The Pirates scored late to defeat determined Starkville for the State 6A Championship, and they proved that prediction to be true, leading Pearl to its first-ever State Championship by defeating Starkville 21-17 and completing a perfect 16-0 season. "It is unbelievable," Coach of the Year John Perry said; and
WHEREAS, with 1:06 remaining and from four yards out, Player of the Year, Tylan Knight, rushed up the middle and into the end zone. "He is the best player in the State of Mississippi," Coach Perry said. The Pirates trailed 14-9 at the half and Pearl didn't answer until the fourth quarter on a five-yard touchdown run by Johnny Winston, who put his team back on top 15-14. Time ticked on and Pearl (16-0) battled. The Pirates held on to their one-point lead; and with 3:54 left in the game, Starkville took the lead back on a 34-yard field goal. The Yellowjackets (13-3) went up 17-15. There was no way the Pirates were letting this one go; it was their second time making it here and they weren't going home this time without the Gold Ball. The next drive of the game the Pirates worked their way downfield, the Gold Ball in sight, and Knight's touchdown made it come true; and
WHEREAS, all season long there has not been one player or one side of the ball that has dominated for the Pirates. It has been the entire team working together to get to this point. The defense did what they had to so the offense could finish the job; and
WHEREAS, Pearl Defense Coordinator Chris Carmody lived up to his grandfather's legacy. Carmody's grandfather, Jim "Big Nasty" Carmody, is one of the most renowned defensive coaches in Mississippi history. He was part of some of the biggest victories in school history at Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Mississippi State; and
WHEREAS, the Pearl High School "Pirates" Championship Football Team Roster is: Willie Brown, LB/RB; Steve Alexander, LB/RB; Brayden Stensaas, WR/LB; Johnquarise Patterson, WR/FS; Dylan Kelly, WR/CB; Tylan Knight, SS/ATH; Kendarius Evans, WR; Dillon Hayes, LS; Gunnar Dennis, QB; Jordan Bailey, LB/DL; Demario Nichols, DB; Jake Smithhart, QB; Kyle Morgigno, K; Tyrik Blakely, CB; Tyler McKenzie, S; Derrick Watts, WR/CB; Donae Carpenter, TE/LB; Cedrick Moffett, CB; Demonte Holliman, CB; Corey Winston, RB/LB; Jaylon Stovall, WR; Nate Smith, RB/LB; Johnny Winston, RB; Blake Calender, DB; Trevontae Lewis, WR/CB; Damien Lynch, LB; Jalin Hayes, DB; Jarvis Townsend, FS; Derrick Stovall, RB; Jaylon Young, WR; DJ Hill, DE; Sam Brumfield, RB/LB; Zikeyln Williams, RB/LB; Landon Carpenter, DE; Preston Turney, LB; Elijah Harris, RB; Cade Davis, K; Marquevious Cooley, DB; Carlen Andujo, LB; Carleontaye Spires, RB/LB; Josh Notree, TE; Brandon Roberson, RB; Kolby Burns, DL; Kaleb Sheppard, LB/WR; Brice Scott, TE; Caleb Anthony, OL; Nate Brewer, DL; Davion Carter, DL; Austin Jones, OL; Cody McCory, OL; Jaylon Webb, OL; Dashun Temple, DL; Justin Bryant, OL; Curley Page, OL; Alan Anderson, OL; Damon Small, OL; Hiram Wilson, OL; Xavier Simpson, OL; Darius McCrimon, DL; Jordan Johnson, OL; Kevin Butts, OL; Kaleb Cadiere, OL; Peyton McDonald, OL; Charles Brown, DL; Eric Ronquilla, OL; Austin Mitchell, DL; Andrew May, OL; Malachi Lewis, WR; Kaleb Williams, WR; Cameron Medina, WR; Trey Patten, WR; Landon Boyd, WR/DB; Zane Coghlan, K/WR; Nicholas Webb, K/WR; and Colby Mozee, WR; Head Coach John Perry; Assistant Coaches: Chase Carmody, Justin Hunter, Caleb Kelly, Joel McCarty, Darius Knight, Terrance Robinson, Erik Stensaas, Korey Welch, Austin Wilbanks, and Nathaniel Worrell; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note this singular achievement by a group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their coaches, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and salute the 2017 Pearl High School "Pirates" Football Team led by Coach of the Year John Perry and outstanding Senior Player of the Year Tylan Knight for winning their first-ever Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Championship, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach John Perry for the team, forwarded to Pearl High School Principal Chris Chism and the Pearl School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.