Senate Resolution 10

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BALDWYN HIGH SCHOOL BEARCATS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL GRAY FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 1A CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2008.

WHEREAS, the Baldwyn High School Bearcats Football Team could not have asked for a worst start, but the ending was one to remember. Behind a second half offensive surge along with a defense that forced four turnovers, the Bearcats rallied past Simmons 21-20 to claim the MHSAA Class 1A State Championship at Southern Miss' M.M. Roberts Stadium on December 6, 2024; and

WHEREAS, it was Baldwyn's second state title in school history and its first since 2008; and

WHEREAS, "I told the seniors at halftime you have 24 minutes to find a way to win this game and they did, and I couldn't be any more proud of this bunch," said Baldwyn coach Michael Gray. "It's hard to get here, and we worked hard to get to this point. It's an awesome feeling"; and

WHEREAS, Simmons scored the game's first points. After Baldwyn was forced to punt, Simmons extended their lead to 12-0. Buchanan found Armani Strahan on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left before halftime. The Bearcats had 12 yards of offense in the first half; and

WHEREAS, the third quarter was all Baldwyn. The Bearcats scored on their opening drive of the second half on a Terrell Robinson 1-yard touchdown run. After Simmons was forced to punt, Dy'Lan Johnson dove into the end zone from 1-yard out to give the Bearcats a 14-12 lead with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter. Ashton Grice extended the Baldwyn lead to 21-12 on a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:53 left in the third quarter. Simmons answered, returning the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown, and a successful two-point conversion cut the Baldwyn lead to 21-20 with 2:39 left in the third quarter; and

WHEREAS, after Baldwyn turned the ball over on downs at the Simmons 8-yard line with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter, Simmons drove to their own 44-yard line, but Colton Hayes intercepted a pass at the Baldwyn 40-yard line with 45 seconds left to seal the win. The Bearcat defense forced four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble, and held Simmons to just 151 yards of total offense; and

WHEREAS, "When we scored our first touchdown it changed the vibe for us, and the script flipped, and we were more physical," Gray said. "Defense was great and did what they did all year. Defense wins championships and that's what happened." Johnson had 58 yards passing to lead Baldwyn. Linebacker Aiden Stewart was named the game's MVP with 11 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and an interception for the Bearcats; and

WHEREAS, the Baldwyn High School 24-25 Varsity Football Roster: Dy'lan Johnson, Marquez Davenport, Aidan Stewart, Ethan Johnson, Colton Hayes, Gray Earnest, Caleb Tyes, Akeyo McGaha, Tahj Bell, Calvin Price, Ashton Grice, Rush Watkins, Jourdan Crump, Kmauryen Johnson, Eli Roper, Brandon Johnson, Terrell Robinson, Braylan Hastings, Kalion Beene, Bradley Wicks, Ridge Mask, Gavin Gamble, Dreson Stewart, Chanceton Price, Jamarious Agnew, Isaac Allen, Jamarion Robinson, Easton Crump, Braxton Stewart, Isaiah Gumm, Andre Bowens, K.J. Burt and Tyson Pugh. Head Coach, Michael Gray, Assistant Coaches, Dru Allen, Neal Allen, Jacob Harper, Nathan Watson and Statistician, Brad Tucker; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these outstanding Mississippi athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Baldwyn High School Bearcats Football Team and Head Coach Michael Gray for winning their first Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A Championship since 2008, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents, administration and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Michael Gray for the team, forwarded to Baldwyn Principal Rickey Weaver and the Prentiss County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.