MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Michel, Kirby, Blount, Browning, Burton, Clarke, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL "PATRIOTS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND AWARD-WINNING HEAD COACH RICKY BLACK FOR WINNING AN UNPRECEDENTED SEVENTH-CONSECUTIVE MAIS CLASS AAAA STATE TITLE.
WHEREAS, this one took a backup quarterback and a fourth-down leap, but the Jackson Prep "Patriots" won their seventh-straight State Championship on November 16, 2018, at Mississippi College, extending its dynastic rule over the MAIS. The Jackson Prep players celebrated in midfield after their 33-27 win over the MAIS Class AAA Title game; and
WHEREAS, the game that saw two lead changes, seven turnovers and five missed extra points came down to a fourth-down decision with 17 seconds left. Madison-Ridgeland Academy had scored to bring itself within a touchdown. Jackson Prep needed less than a yard. Jackson Prep Head Coach Ricky Black stood in a sparse huddle and yelled for his punt team. Then, he changed his mind. Prep's offense trotted back onto the field, and Senior Running Back Jerrion Ealy lined up in the backfield with two fullbacks in front of him. Ealy, his left arm in a brace, had already carried the ball 33 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns. He had played since his freshman year, become one of the best players in MAIS history, and now he needed one more yard to end his career with four State Championships. Ealy took a handoff. As he approached the line of scrimmage, he leaped over a pile of linemen, sailing past the first-down marker. Quarterback Alex Gibbs raised both arms into the air, leaned back and roared as the celebration began. He ended the game with 84 yards passing and a five-yard touchdown run, extending his arms as he strode into the end zone; and
WHEREAS, Prep had entered the season already in the midst of a dynasty. It felt invincible. But a month ago, Madison-Ridgeland Academy scored three second-half touchdowns to hand Prep its second loss in three years. Media members throughout the state picked Madison-Ridgeland Academy to win the championship rematch. It would have been Madison-Ridgeland Academy's first State Title since 2004 and capped an undefeated season. But Madison-Ridgeland Academy failed to stop Ealy while turnovers and penalties stunted its explosive offense; and
WHEREAS, Jackson Prep has a long and outstanding history of winning athletic championships and producing athletes who play at the college level. Varsity Football Championships: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Jackson Preparatory School "Patriots" Football Team Championship Roster is: Javon Magee, RB, DB; Jerrion Ealy, RB, DB; Spence Graves, WR, DB; Alex Turner, WR, DB; Matt Jones, RB, DB; Bryson Weeks, WR, DB; Riley Maddox, QB, DB; Ross Hopkins, RB, LB; Peyton Greenwood, WR, DB; Adam Norsworthy, RB, LB; Jake Lange, QB, DB; Grady Clayton, WR, DB; Alex Gibbs, QB, LB; Angelo Levon, RB, DL; William Bronzi, WR, DB; Thomas Thornton, WR, DB; Robert Griffs, WR, DB; Jay Waits, WR, DB; Carter Stockett, WR, DB; Ford Lange, TE, DE; Reed Kellum, RB, DE; Nicholas Sanford, WR, DB; Jack Gatlin, WR, DB; J.T. Mardis, RB, DB; Jacob Perkins, WR, DB; Ashton W. Heath, WR, LB; Talbot Fletcher, WR, DB; Emory Maxwell, OL, DL; Seth Bagwell, WR, DB; Ethan Lingle, OL, DL; Seth Cook, RB, DB; Jack Gideon, RB, DL; Clark Kellum, WR, DB; Mitch Kincaid, RB, DL; J.K. Nowell, TE, DE; Mills Murphy, WR, DB; Breadon Mabry, RB, LB; Brooks Martin, TE, DE; Myles Little, RB, LB; Drew Laird, WR, LB; Evan Young, RB, DE; Jan Pounds-Vaughn, WR, DB; Theo Costas, WR, DB; Thaxton Berch, WR, DB; Shelby Brantley, RB, DL; Josh Oden, OL, DL; Tripp Cory, OL, DL; Charlie Ott, OL, DL; Landry Barnett, OL, DL; Thad Crawford, OL, DL; Caleb Gay, OL, DL; J.P. Guilbeau, OL, DL; John Miller, OL, DL; Charles Stephenson, OL, DL; Grant Simpson, OL, DL; Hunter Yelverton, OL, DL; Holmes Maley, OL, DL; Peyton Dunn, OL, DL; William McHenry, OL, DL; Tyler McMurtery, OL, DL; Grant Hughes, OL, DL; Jack Baker, OL, DL; Barron Liston, OL, DL; Dixon Hughes, RB, LB; Gatlin Hixon, TE, DE; Mason Nichols, WR, DB; Luke Runnels, WR, DB; William Fletcher, TE, DE; Joseph Voynik, WR, DB; Roaman Zhou, WR, LB; J.C. Polk, TE, DE; and Louie Gatlin, K; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the students, faculty, parents, coaches and administration of this excellent school in recognizing this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi by establishing a dynasty in MAIS football:
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 congratulate, 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 Head Coach Ricky Black for the team, forwarded to Headmaster Lawrence Coco, and the Board of Trustees of Jackson Prep, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.