House Resolution 64

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL YELLOWJACKETS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHRIS JONES FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION 6A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School Yellowjackets Football Team reigned supreme at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Football Championship on December 3, 2022, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, when they defeated Brandon High School 48-32 to win their seventh state championship in the program's history and the first since 2015; and

WHEREAS, the Yellowjackets, who had a superior season and an impressive 12-3 record entering the championship game, were driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, and they intensely amplified all of their hard work and motivation, which were so apparent throughout the entire season, for the championship game; and

WHEREAS, throughout four quarters of play, the Yellowjackets superstar quarterback, junior Trey Petty, was relentless, and his top receiver, Braylon Burnside, a four-star Class of 2023 prospect, played one of his best games of the year, so their victory was all but decided as soon as they walked onto the field; and

WHEREAS, midway through the first quarter, Petty led a nine-play, 47-yard drive that was capped with a 1-yard quarterback rush to give Starkville a 7-0 lead, and in the second quarter, the Yellowjackets went 82 yards on 12 plays with a 22-yard touchdown connection from Petty to Burnside, a touchdown that truly cemented the Yellowjackets power over Brandon High School; and

WHEREAS, when an aggressive attempt to get back in the game by the Bulldogs failed, Starkville took advantage of the short field position for another crucial touchdown and another one-yard rush from Petty, to go up 21-0 with 19 seconds left in the half; and

WHEREAS, Petty and Burnside wasted little time after halftime to further extend the Yellowjackets lead, as Starkville scored off of a turnover to make the score 35-10 late in the third quarter and put the game away for good; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Starkville High School Yellowjackets Championship roster is comprised of the following talented athletes: Jaylon York, Jaiden Turnipseed, Toralyn Knox, JaQuavin Jenkins, Tony Lucious, Braylon Burnside, Kaesen McQuiller, Anthony Hogan, Curtis Willis, Ny'jadus Roberts-Holloway, Jejuan Davis, Zakyrius Key, Jermar McCarter, Trey Petty, Will Wells, Brandon Short, Eric Thomas, Jr., Isaiah Witherspoon, Jaheim Deanes, Jaylon Ruffin, Elijah Halbert, Justin Jenkins, Nigel McCarter, Jontavious Rogers, Shiloh Johnson, Parker Simpson, Ashton Bogard, Davarrius Hairston, Jaiden Williams, Bryson Rodgers, Jeremiah (Jay) Johnson, Isaiah Dickerson, Zach Hill, Chris Hall, Dorian Gunn, Azavion Gill, Brian Tutton, Rylan Outlaw, Hunter Bragg, Courtland Cooper, Donnelvin Jordan, Kerrion Lamb, Jaiven Guess, Donovan Avant, Calvin Patterson, Erion Lanier, Grady Stewart, J.D. Methvin, Justin Young, Patrick Lawrence, Si Thomas, Keyon Bell, Terry Clayborn, Dontavian Wright, Terrelle Ward, Christopher Hayes, Johnathan Morris, Ashton Mays, Joseph Coleman, Jakavious Goss, Darryl Smith, Laquincy Harris, Jamiyia Holmes, Tayshaun Peterson, Zion Veasley, Benjamin Townes Fulford, Jordan Young, Gavin Lewis, Robert Barnes, Cedrick Tate, La'Joshua Brown, A'Ravion Moore-Gladney, Skyler Watt, Jahcure Clayton, Elijah Stovall, Silas Suell, Brayden Carpenter, Jack Fountain, Mason House, Willie Harkins, Ethan Pulliam, Zyhan Bradley and Braden Green; Head Coach Chris Jones, and Assistant Coaches Dalton Hudspeth, Terrance Pope, Adam Shumaker and Charley Williams; and

WHEREAS, in addition to becoming the MHSAA Class 6A State Champions, several individual Yellowjacket players received awards, including Head Coach Chris Jones, who was named Mississippi's Coach of the Year; Tony Lucious, 1st Team All State and Blackwell North All-Star-All Region; Eric Thomas, Jr., 2nd Team All State and Blackwell North All-Star-All Region; Nyjadius Holloway, All Region-Mississippi and Alabama; Justin Jenkins, All Region; Trey Petty, Co-overall MVP for Region 2-6A and 6A State Championship MVP; Braylon Burnside, All Region and 1st Team All State; Jaylon York, All Region and Blackwell North All Star, All State 2nd Team; Chris Haynes, All Region; J.D. Methevin, Magnolia All Star Senior Bowl; Ethan Pulliam, All Region; and Terry Clayborn, All Region; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Chris Jones has superbly coached and inspired the Yellowjackets 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, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Starkville High School Yellowjackets Football Team, who have brought honor to their school, the City of Starkville 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 Starkville High School Yellowjackets Football Team and Head Coach Chris Jones for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association 6A State Football Championship and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.

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