House Resolution 36

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI TITANS FOOTBALL TEAM AND TEAM OWNER AND HEAD COACH DANIEL MCGAFFENY ON THEIR YEAR AFTER YEAR SUCCESS IN YOUTH FOOTBALL.

WHEREAS, the Southern Mississippi Titans Football Team of McComb, Mississippi, a youth football team in the Central Mississippi Youth Association League, ended the 2024 season in a phenomenal way with history once again repeating itself as the team brought home championship trophies for the ninth year in a row; and

WHEREAS, since 2016, the Titans have impressively won the league championship every year in at least one or, more often than not, more than one age division, and on five occasions, the team has incredibly been the Bowl Championship Series State Champions in at least one age division; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 season was no different than previous years, with the Titans 8 and Under squad capturing both the league championship and for the third consecutive year, the Bowl Series State Championship, while the 12 and Under division was victorious in the league championship and runner-up in the Bowl Series State Championship; and

WHEREAS, for their extraordinary performance on the field, two members of the Titans, Ray Forrest III and Elijah Dunn, were named Central Mississippi Youth Association Player of the Year for their age divisions; and

WHEREAS, under the tireless leadership of team owner and Head Coach Daniel McGaffeny, the Titans club embodies the core traits of the Central Mississippi Youth Association - partnership, development, competition, and accountability - and has earned the distinction of being named League Organization of the Year in 2018, 2020 and 2022; and

WHEREAS, Coach McGaffeny has superbly coached and inspired the Southern Mississippi Titans 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 winning spirit of each team member, as evidenced in his ability to produce high caliber players with each new season; and

WHEREAS, the team's success in 2024 would not have been possible without the help of assistant coaches Florence McGaffeny, Ray Charles Perkins, Corey Otis, Travis Collins, Darryl Davis, Darrell Leopold, George Lewis, Laronte Lee, Dominic Williams, Jeremy Williams, Edward Shackledford, Wayne Robinson, Tyquan Patterson, Darrell Ellzey and Chanson Ashley; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Southern Mississippi Titans Football Team, who have brought honor to their families, community and the entire 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 Southern Mississippi Titans Football Team, team owner and Head Coach Daniel McGaffeny for their year after year success in youth football.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Daniel McGaffeny and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.