MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative McCarty

House Resolution 88

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OAK GROVE HIGH SCHOOL WARRIORS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH DREW CAUSEY UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 6A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

     WHEREAS, the Oak Grove High School Warriors Football Team has been crowned victorious after they defeated the Oxford High School Chargers at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on December 4, 2020, to win the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Football Championship; and

     WHEREAS, the Warriors, who had a superior season that was driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, intensely amplified all of their hard work and motivation, which were so apparent all through the season, for the game that ultimately separated the men from the boys to edge out the competition and collect the MHSAA Class 6A State Football Championship; and

     WHEREAS, striving all season long to be the best 6A football program in the state, Oak Grove High School put aside the excitement, fanfare and attention to focus on the championship game and prepare as they had throughout the season, and that strategy, along with the monumental support from the entire community, helped solidify the Warriors' championship status; and

     WHEREAS, during the championship game that kept fans on the edge of their seats for the entire 60 minutes of play, the Oak Grove High School Football Team's mental stamina and determination never waivered from the moment they ran onto the field until the last down was played, and this championship marks the second for the Warriors' football program; and 

     WHEREAS, with seven seconds to play, Oak Grove was down and facing a fourth-and-two situation, their last opportunity to make a play and win the game, and miraculously, junior quarterback, Kabe Barnett, who had already rushed for two touchdowns and completed 21-of-30 passes for 200 yards, mustered everything within him to score on a ten-yard scamper and bring Oak Grove within reach of its championship dreams; and

     WHEREAS, Oak Grove Head Coach Drew Causey had already made up his mind that if he had the opportunity to go for a two-point conversion or kick the extra point and go into overtime, he was going for two, so he made the call, a delayed drag route that left senior tight end Trayvon Moore with more than enough room to haul in Kabe Barnett's championship winning pass, transforming an extremely tense situation for the Warriors into a jubilant celebration; and

     WHEREAS, throughout their season of play, the Warriors faced off with some of the state's best contenders on the gridiron, but persevered to make their presence and talent known as gladiators of football under the Friday night lights; and

     WHEREAS, the Warriors, who played with nothing but heart and soul all season, have a very talented and distinguished roster, and each player made a substantial contribution that led to one of the most historic seasons in the history of the Oak Grove High School Football Program; and

     WHEREAS, the team's statistics were impressive this season, and there were outstanding performances by individual players, but the key to the team's remarkable success has been the constant team atmosphere and year-round hard work by the following talented student-athletes:  Raheem Fairley, Brazier Logan, Kabe Barnett, Johnnie Evans, Khailen Carter, Trayvon Moore, Chris Singleton, Braxton Ramsey, Daniel Dawson, Trey Lott, Cameron Sisson, Dontavious Howard, Keon Pryor, Jack Rodgers, Sidney Pierfax, Quintin Sterling, Jaylen Ducksworth, Wesley Joseph, Courtland Harris, Sedarion Guy, Eugene Newell Jr., Garon Malone, PJ Henderson, Jaylen Aborom, T.J. Temple, Tyrell Pollard, TJ Harvey, JQ Gray, Mason Durning, Adarius Haynes, Josh Ratliff, Akili Dobbins, Quin Sirmon, Ahkem Toy, Jacob Dumas, Jason Johnson, Matthew Pollard, David Odom, Jonas Milsap, Jack Crawford, Braxton Miller, Alex Rozier, Evan McBeth, Jordan Coleman, Montey Harvey, Foster Mitchell, Zach Little, Ethan Easterling, Byron Easterling, Cane DeMarks, Donovan Allen, Tordale Hampton, Michael Reese, Taurese Sibley, Damon Lee, Cameron Lowery, Tavarious Hampton, John Robert Rodgers, Klabron Pollard, Jeremiah Posey, Jaylon Martin, Norris Taylor, Michael Owens, Kortland Taylor, Darrian King, Logan Walker, Kanye Floyd, Price Moorehead, Brandon Marin, Peyton Peoples, McKale Boley, Jamal Lee, Tyler Slay, Wyatt Wood, La'Darrian Caldwell, Dazerick Patton, Alex Toto, Javan Richardson, Oakly Herrington, Ernesto Marin, Jordan Allen, Jackson Naylor, Tyson Thibodeaux, Tylan Evans, Cameron Sheppard, Joseph Patrick, Chandler Ducksworth, Jaylen Powe, Quinlan Chaney, Randall Pope, Ace Galloway, Nekhi Cox; and

     WHEREAS, Head Coach Drew Causey has superbly coached and tremendously inspired the Warriors Football Team and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in his ability to produce high caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and

     WHEREAS, the championship would not have been possible without the help of the following people, who helped the players reach their fullest potential on and off the field:  Director of Football Operations, Bryce McMahon; Athletic Director, Chris McCardle; Strength and Conditioning, Sam Morris; Athletic Trainers, Kevin Mauldin and Austin Banks; Videographer, Matt Johnson; Assistant Coaches, Benji Merchant, Russell Mitchell, Jeff Waits, Sam Thomas, Dalton Smith, Jesse Lang, Chris Lee, Tevin Durr, Bob Byrd and Orie Hudson; volunteers, J.D. Simpson and Steve Young; manager, Austin Beach and Hector Godfrey; ball boys, Chandler Causey, Bo Ignatius and Eli Causey; and     

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Oak Grove High School Warriors Football Team, whose hard work and perseverance brings honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Oak Grove High School Warriors Football Team and Head Coach Drew Causey upon winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A State Football Championship, and extend to them best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Drew Causey and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.