House Resolution 106

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PICAYUNE HIGH SCHOOL "MAROON TIDE" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CODY STOGNER FOR ITS BACK-TO-BACK MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the West Point vs. Picayune trilogy is complete, and Darrell Smith struck the deciding blow in favor of the "Maroon Tide" as he hauled in a short pass in the left flat from Picayune quarterback Brady Robertson and sprinted 80 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, breaking two tackles on his way; and

WHEREAS, that touchdown gave Picayune High School a 24-14 lead late in the third quarter, and in an explosive and definitive turning point in a second half, the Maroon Tide controlled on the way to a 31-21 win in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) 5A State Championship game on December 2, 2022, at M.M. Roberts Stadium, and after a title game defeat to West Point (11-3) in 2019, Picayune (15-0) can now claim back-to-back championship victories over a powerhouse Green Wave program; and

WHEREAS, it is the first time the Maroon Tide has claimed back-to-back titles, also capping the school's first undefeated season since 1937; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Picayune High School "Maroon Tide" Championship roster is: Dante Dowdell, Jabari McWilliams, Darrell Smith, Niquis Ratcliff, Chris Davis, Brady Robertson, Jessiah Contee, Dylan Martz, Jamonta Waller, Ian Herring, Jamal Simmons, Damarius Magee, Brandon Parker, Jr., Broderick Ducre, Triston Cooper, Chandler Kiley, Nathan Hickman, Javion Goss, Tyran Warren, Tyrel McGill, Robert Williams, Amarion Tyson, Cristian James, Ben Ducker, Winston Drain, James Mitchell, Morgan Craft, Darnell Smith, Jeremiah Grant, Elysha Diodati, Caleb Simmons, Zavion Coleman, Jeremiah Contee, Quinton Haynes, Gage Thibodeaux, Canaan Uzel, Roman Galvez, Peyton Wells, Brennen Williams, Brodie Hassell, Chase Stubbs, Michael Morrell, Karsen Robbins, Jermiah Adams, Donell Lewis, Mitchell Smith, Michael Smith, Marquez Solomon, Ty Grant, Marty D, Frank Simmons, Scotty Adam, Hooty Adam, Joshua Perry and Joe Abston; Head Coach Cody Stogner; and Assistant Coaches Adam Feeley, Seth Hayden and Mark Summers; 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Picayune High School "Maroon Tide" Football Team, and Head Coach Cody Stogner for its back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success to the team members in all their future endeavors.

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