MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Branning, Burton, Clarke, Fillingane, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NANIH WAIYA "WARRIORS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH JAMES COURTNEY FOR WINNING ITS FIRST-EVER 2018 MHSAA CLASS 1A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, on November 30, 2018, the Nanih Waiya "Warriors" Football Team and Coach James Courtney celebrated its first-ever State Championship after defeating Hollandale Simmons in the MHSAA BlueCross BlueShield Gridiron Classic High School Football Championship in M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Nanih Waiya had talked about it all year. It had been 364 days since the Warriors blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost in the Title Game to Simmons when the two teams met again in the 1A finale; and
WHEREAS, the Warriors made the most of their shot at redemption, handing the defending champs a 21-18 defeat, snapping the Blue Devils' 54-game winning streak and earning Nanih Waiya their first-ever State Title; and
WHEREAS, the game played out much like the 2017 Championship, just with a dramatically different ending. "I think the experience from last year played into it," Nanih Waiya Coach James Courtney said. "We never wavered. We thought we were on edge at all times last year, but our kids never panicked tonight"; and
WHEREAS, the big question coming into the Championship Game was whether Nanih Waiya would be able to slow down the high-powered Simmons offense. Trailing in the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils put together drives of 74 and 71 yards, but the former ended in a turnover on downs and the latter a fumble. In the huddle, Nanih Waiya two-way tackle Caleb Warren said there was a simple message: "Finish." Quarterback Donovan Turner, who finished with 144 rushing yards on 20 attempts to earn Player of the Game honors, did a great job of operating Nanih Waiya's read-option running attack. The other guy in that duo, Shia Moore, finished with 106 yards on 21 carries. The Warriors earned 20 first downs to Simmons' 10, and they held the ball for nearly 32 minutes of the 48 minute game; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Nanih Waiya "Warriors" Football Team Championship Roster is: Dawson Eaves, WR, CB; Tylan Glass, WR, SS; Tyree McClendon, TE, DE; Tyquan McCully, RB; Donovan Turner, QB, DB; Austin Sanders, RB, FS; J.T. Stokes, WR; Blake Young, WR, OLB; Coley Taylor, WR, SS; Tykeam Triplett, WR, CB; Deon Hickman, WR, CB; Ked Moore, RB, DB; Jake Kight, TE, DE; Franklin Jenkins, RB, CB; Taylor Higginbotham, FB, LB, MLB; Devean Turner, FB, LB; Tykell Triplett, CB, TE; Dylan Hunt, WR, CB; Shaw Adcock, MLB, FB; Shia Moore, RB, ILB; Hagan Halfacre, TE; Rico Moore, RB, LB; Dewonta Carter, FB, DE; Ashton Warren; Prentiss Eaves, C, DL; Jalen Triplett, DT, T; Ethan Misso, OL; Cody Warren, OL, DL; Kyle Holdiness, DE, G; Cole Misso, NG, OT; Braxton Stokes, OL, DL; Maddox Robertson, OL, DL; Blake Sheets, OL, DL; Tristan Conner, OL, DL; Camden Hoening; Chanley McDaniel, C, DT; Joseph Copeland, OL, DL; Caleb Warren, T, DT; James Resh, T, DT; and Scott Ferguson, WR, CB; Head Coach James Courtney; and Staff Members: Sy Hunter, Cody Parkes, Steve Blackwell, Paul Courtney, Johnny Kight and Mark Beasley; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who, with this first-time accomplishment, have brought honor 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 congratulate the Nanih Waiya "Warriors" Football Team and Coach James Courtney for winning its first-ever 2018 MHSAA Class 1A Football Championship, 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 James Courtney for the team, forwarded to Nanih Waiya Principal Belinda Swart, and the Winston County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.