House Resolution 46

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE POPLARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JAY BEECH FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST EVER MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Poplarville High School Hornets reigned supreme on December 7, 2024, at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State Championship when they won their long-sought after state championship title after knocking down the Louisville Wildcats from its two-year streak with a 29-28 win; and

WHEREAS, the championship game at Southern Miss M.M. Roberts Stadium was Poplarville's first trip to the state games since its loss to Louisville in 2020; however, Poplarville proved victorious and secured its first-ever football state championship title; and

WHEREAS, in a nerve-wracking game between rivals, the Poplarville Hornets and Louisville Wildcats took to the field, fighting to earn the title of 2024-2025 4A State Champions, and Poplarville held out against Louisville during the true nail-biter, winning 29-28 and making history for the small-town high school; and

WHEREAS, going to the championship game itself is not new for the Hornets, as Poplarville High School has been to the 4A State Championship four times prior, two being against Louisville, and none resulting in taking home the gold ball, but this trip was different; and

WHEREAS, with many players out previously in the season, the Hornets overcame much adversity and arrived at the season-ending game with a record of 12-2, winning to close out with an outstanding 13-2 finish; and

WHEREAS, Tylan Keys, was named the most valuable player and played a great offensive game against the Wildcats, as his performance helped clinch the title, and by the end of the game, he had 130 rushing yards, a touchdown on 23 carries, and a kickoff return touchdown; and

WHEREAS, while Ty was named MVP, many other players contributed to the ending score of 29 over Louisville's 28, including the Hornets quarterback, Sydney Blackmon, who had 81 passing yards and one passing touchdown in the championship game and 1580 yards and 16 touchdown passes overall; and

WHEREAS, alongside the senior quarterback, running back Zack Case and wide receiver Nick Miller also had outstanding seasons, and during the championship game, Miller gained multiple first downs for his team and scored a touchdown from the 1-yard line, and Zack Case caught a 20-yard pass from quarterback Sydney Blackmon and made a crucial touchdown for the Hornets; and

WHEREAS, additionally, newly joined Hornet Jeremiah Moss arrived at the beginning of the season and made his last season special, as he served as the Hornet's tight end and punter, and he played an essential role in the victory over Louisville on Saturday night, with a 50-yard catch thrown by Blackmon; and

WHEREAS, none of the success of the Hornets offense would have been possible without the amazing offensive line, which blocked their hearts out and left enough holes for the offensive scorers to run the ball to the endzone; and

WHEREAS, as the old saying goes, "Defense wins championships.", and that was definitely true during the Hornets championship game, as many players played their most challenging on the defensive front to keep the Wildcats away from the endzone and, ultimately, bring home the coveted gold football trophy; and

WHEREAS, Ayden Harmon led the team in four solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles and Harmon ended his season with 68 solo tackles and 52 assisted tackles, and Jason "Biggie" Smith also played a great game, falling close behind Harmon with eight assisted tackles and a game-saving interception; and

WHEREAS, other notable players on the defensive line were Cole Henry, who got an interception, Parker Pearson, who had the same game stats of 2 solo tackles and four assisted tackles, and Josh Beck and Nathan Brown, whose names were repeated over the speakers multiple times for their defensive skills; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 Poplarville High School Hornets Championship Football roster is comprised of the following talented athletes: Cole Henry, Josh Beck, Nick Miller, Torry Robinson, Thomas Lambert, Walt Graham, Tylan Keys, Trac Smith, Zack Case, Zae Smith, Jason Smith, Jacob Carollo, Ayden Harmon, Titan Smith, Lennox Beech, Jayden Raine, Mason Dedeaux, Semaj Jamison, Chadwick Brown, Jackson Moss, Ethan Martin, Hayden Blanchard, Lock Russell, Rhett McCardle, Ian Magee, Alonso Sanchez, Jeremiah Moss, Tate Smith, Dereck Penton, Jackson Baker, Jenson Abercrombie, Aidan Graham, Sydney Blackmon, Jacob Culpepper, Eli Seal, Braylen Allen, Mack Knight, Lamarcus Compton, Jake Cotton, Zeke Daffern, Remy Naquin, Austin Clark, Ben Will, Hunter Heatherly, Sam Will, Jakeob Taylor, Ethan Allen, Jobe Lambert, Parker Pearson, Brennan Brown, Brayden Kite, Tanner Stockstill, Jaxon Schultz, Tyler Degeorge,

Jaycee Singletary, Brayden Fussell, Peytan Hart, Aiden Berger,

Aaron Graham and Nathan Brown; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Jay Beech has superbly coached and inspired the Hornets 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 Jacob Owen, Justin Moss, Chandler Ray, Christopher Dewease, Justin Sones, Brad Wells, and Adam Johnson, who each helped the players reach their fullest potential and achieve greatness; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Poplarville High School Hornets Football Team, who have brought honor to their school, the City of Poplarville and 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 Poplarville High School Hornets Football Team and Head Coach Jay Beech for winning their first ever Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State 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 Jay Beech and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.