House Resolution 62

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HARTFIELD ACADEMY HAWKS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CRAIG BOWMAN FOR WINNING THE MIDSOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (MAIS) CLASS AAAAAA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Hartfield Academy Varsity Football Team reigned supreme at the 2023 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAAAAA State Football Championship at Mississippi College's Robinson-Hale Stadium when they defeated Jackson Prep 21-0 to win their first football state championship in program history; and

WHEREAS, the Hartfield football team played a 12-game regular season schedule and two post-season games, and they earned the number one seed for the MAIS playoffs after defeating all their district opponents in the regular season, including Presbyterian Christian School, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Jackson Prep, Saint Joseph Catholic School and Jackson Academy; and

WHEREAS, bursting with wit and athleticism, the Hartfield Academy Hawks Football Team's mental stamina and determination never waivered from the moment they ran onto the field until the last down was played, scoring 598 points through 14 games, while only yielding 184 points to their formidable opponents; and

WHEREAS, the Hawks, who were driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, finished their first ever undefeated 14-0 season, 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, striving all season long to be the best football program in the state, the Hartfield Hawks put aside the excitement, fanfare and attention to focus on the championship game and prepare as they had throughout the season, and they truly embraced their "ALL IN" culture and trust in each other which allowed them to bring the coveted trophy back to the Hartfield Academy trophy case for the first time; and

WHEREAS, in addition to winning their first ever state championship and completing their first ever undefeated season, the Hawks achieved several other titles throughout the season, including being named the 2023 Class AAAAAA District Championship; Head Coach Craig Bowman was named Class AAAAAA MAIS Coach of the Year and Mississippi Scoreboard Coach of the Year; Reed Jesiolowski was named Class AAAAAA MAIS Offensive Player of the Year; Chris Jones was named Class AAAAAA MAIS Defensive Player of the Year; and Bralan Womack was named Class AAAAAA MAIS All-Purpose Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 Hartfield Academy Hawks Championship Football roster is comprised of the following talented athletes: Kenzy West, Bralan Womack, KD Catchings, Twaskie Jones, Chris Jones, Bralen Steele, Jaxon Jenkins, Cooper Howard, Josh Wooten, Ethan Elliott, Reed Jesiolowski, Cayman Tapper, Conner Elliott, Reginald Vaughn, Hayden McMinn, Dereck Lazo, Ford Ray, Foster Watts, Dylan Harris, LJ Davis, Woods Roberson, Alex Rushing, King Gibbs, Sam Sheffield, Spence Bradshaw, John Davis, Brayden Graham, Stone Stogner, Brodie Hutton, Reid Gaston, Brandon Turner, Cruz Nesbit, Brad Myers, JP Shimfessel, Owen Stroh, Garrett Gilbert, Silas Sorey, Ian Hollingsworth, London Simmons, Jaden Stingley, Jordyn Erves, Cooper Clark, Coleman Williams, Payne Weaver, Colby Kelly, Sam Stumph, Rob Horner, Joseph Adcox, Cole Stumph, Andrew Gonzalez, Antonio Ross, Rory Vaughn, Jeremy Kersh, Skye Dilworth, John Clark, AJ Rushing, Ty Cannon and Justus Wallace; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Craig Bowman has superbly coached and inspired the Hawks 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 team's success would not have been possible without the help of Assistant Coaches Jeff McFerran, Cody Saxton, Shane Schurb, Stuardt Saxton, Pack Toler, Lee Dawkins, Ricky Clark, Darrell Tucker, Ryan Lindsey, Will Davis, Jarrett Myers and Collin Owens; and

WHEREAS, trainer, Allie Simpson; student assistant, Noah Lewis; student trainers, Lainey Walker, Aubrey Dew, Carson Smith, Bella Vega, Izzy Roland, Trinity Penton, Reagan Swan, MC Sensing and Maggie Clark; videographer, Ruel Ingram and Hayden Hughes; and

ball boys, Ben Bowman, Sam Bowman, Maddox Johnson, Jonas Jenkins and Aven Clark have each helped the Hartfield Hawks achieve their dream of winning a state championship; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Hartfield Academy Hawks Football Team, who have brought honor to their school, the City of Flowood 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 Hartfield Academy Hawks Football Team and Head Coach Craig Bowman for winning the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAAAAA 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 Craig Bowman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.