MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Clarke, Simmons (12th), Chassaniol, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (13th)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 504

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND SALUTING THE SIMMONS-HOLLANDALE HIGH SCHOOL "BLUE DEVILS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH WADE TACKETT FOR THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT CLASS 1A STATE TITLE AND THEIR 40TH STRAIGHT VICTORY.

     WHEREAS, undefeated Nanih Waiya and undefeated Simmons-Hollandale were on a collision course since September 2017, and the only debate left is which is the unstoppable force and which is the immovable object.  On December 1, 2017, the two teams met in the 1A State Championship at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.  Simmons (14-0) was the two-time defending champ who came into this year's title game having won 39 straight; and

     WHEREAS, first-year Head Coach Wade Tackett picked up right where his predecessor Tavares Johnson left off, and the "Blue Devil" have not lost a game since November 21, 2014; and

     WHEREAS, until the title game, Simmons had not trailed in a game all season, and never in the fourth quarter.  The "Blue Devils" were down six points with just over two minutes left in the 1A State Championship Game against Nanih Waiya.  Demarius Turner took a handoff from quarterback Ty Gipson on a jet sweep and ran four yards into the right side of the end zone.  A play later, Marquez Pam completed the two-point conversion and the "Blue Devils" won their third straight 1A Title, 22-20 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.  Turner and Pam have been Simmons' one-two punch combo all season and in the fourth quarter, they went for the knockout; and

     WHEREAS, the 2017 Simmons-Hollandale High School "Blue Devils" Football Team Championship Roster is:  Charlie Williams, DB/WR; Su'metris Stewart, WR/OLB; Malik Thomas, LB/RB; Fred Smith, S/WR; Marquez Pam, RB/S; Ryan Mabell, S/WR; Antavius Rounds, DB/QB; Ty Gipson, QB; Charles Robinson, T/DE; Colton Mallard, WR/DB; Amos Robinson, TE/LB; Cameron Washington, DE; Pierre Ricks, WR/S; Michael Boyd, LB; Ta'Darrius Williams, WR/S; Demarius Turner, WR/S; Rodrick Wilson, DE; Stemarion Edwards, T/DT; Josh Altman, DB/WR; Markeal Pam, DB; Erik Brown, RB/LB; Tyree Covington, WR; Aaron Davis, RB/DT; Tim Wells, C/DT; Tylenn Bridges, T/DT; Joshua Jordan, G/DT; Erik Tyler, G/DT; Tyren Altman, G/DT; Phuntaine Stewart, T/DE; Tyus Levy, G/DE; Charles Taylor, C/DT; Izell Willis, DT; Rodrick Matthews, T/DT; Denzell Hunter, DE; Eric Clark, T/DE; and Dekaron Davis; Head Coach Wade Tackett; and Assistant Coaches:  DJ Christman, Herman Brown and Stanley Grady; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought pride to their school, 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 Simmons-Hollandale High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Coach Wade Tackett for their third straight Class 1A State Title and their 40th straight victory, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Tackett for the team, forwarded to Simmons Principal Shiquita Brown and the Hollandale School District School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.