Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WATER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL "BLUE DEVILS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH BRAD EMBRY FOR WINNING THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ENDING A 28-YEAR TITLE DROUGHT.

WHEREAS, Water Valley "Blue Devils" Football Team Coach Brad Embry told his group of seniors in the eighth grade they could win a State Championship. His confidence in his players was proven November 30, 2018, with a 34-28 win over Seminary (12-4) in the Class 3A State Title Game at University of Southern Mississippi's M.M. Roberts Stadium; and

WHEREAS, with the victory, the group of juniors and seniors who went 2-9 two seasons ago as freshmen and sophomores brought Water Valley (14-2) its first State Title since 1990; and

WHEREAS, the fact that seemingly the entire Town of Water Valley was on hand to witness the end of the Blue Devils' title drought is evidence of just how much this State Championship meant to the small town of 3,362; and

WHEREAS, there were a handful of noteworthy performances that propelled the Blue Devils. Senior Wide Receiver Bud Tolbert stole the show. Tolbert, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, tallied more than 100 receiving yards and was on the receiving end of all four of Truss' touchdown passes. The highlight of his efforts came on a 35-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. On a jump ball toward the right side of the end zone, Tolbert leaped over two defenders to bring in a pass before reaching the ball forward for a score that put Water Valley ahead 28-6. It was the ultimate culmination of 11 years of hard work that Coach Embry put in at Water Valley; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 Water Valley High School "Blue Devils" Football Team Championship Roster is: Blayne Clark, QB, MLB; Jacob Welch, CB, WR; Ceddrik White, CB, WR; Quaterrius Tolbert, WR, CB; Hayden Eubanks, QB, FS; Martavius Rockett, SB, CB; Treshaun Morgan, QB, CB; Dre McCray, RB, MLB; Ja'varius Benson, MLB, RB; Grant Burress, WR, OLB; Nate Murphy, DE, QB; Paris Adams, DT, DE; Marion Morgan, QB, OLB; Jacob Truss, WR, SS; Kenterrious Rucker, RB, OLB; Maleek Joy, WR, FS; Chance Dewberry, FB, DE; Keldric McIntosh, OLB, RB; Damicah Hervey, FS, RB; Devontrae Bailey, OLB, FB; Khahill Houston, WR, FS; Chris Harris, RB, CB; Darius Tolbert, WR, SS; Adam Green, WR, FS; Brandon Washington, C, MLB; Jon Surrette, WR, CB, K; Ty Morgan, C, DE; Bradley Tedford, C, NG; Kyjuan Hervey, G, DT; Brantley Simmons, FB, MLB; Marquis Cook, G, NG; Marley Cook, T, DT; Aulton Phillips, G, MLB; Joseph Witt, DT, G; Jamalachi Jones, T, DT; Jamarkis McIntosh, G, MLB; Josh Griffis, G, DT; Matthew Childress, G, NG; Austin Potts, T, DE; Marqualyn White, C, NG; Avery Humphreys, T, DE; Issac Phillips, G, DE; Jonathan Norwood, T, DT; Kentavious Hervey, T, DT; Dalton Higdon, C, DE; Chase King, DT, G; Jacorie Woodland, T, NG; Kameron Sayles, DE, TE; and Isaiah White, DE, TE; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who 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 Water Valley High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Coach Brad Embry for winning the Class 3A State Championship and ending a 28-year title drought, 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 Embry for the team, forwarded to Water Valley Principal Drew Pitcock, the Water Valley School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps