Senate Resolution 11

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HARTFIELD ACADEMY HAWKS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CRAIG BOWMAN FOR WINNING THEIR SECOND-STRAIGHT MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on November 23, 2024, Jackson Prep and Hartfield Academy met at the Mississippi College Stadium in Clinton, Mississippi, in the MAIS 6A State Championship Game for the second-straight year; and

WHEREAS, both teams were looking for revenge in the game — the Patriots for the loss in last year's championship game, and the Hawks for the 51-45 loss suffered in the game between the two teams earlier in the 2024 season; and

WHEREAS, the Hawks struck first in the game when Houston- commit, Kenzy West, ran the ball in from seven yards out in the first quarter. "Kenzy does it all for us," Hartfield Head Coach Craig Bowman said. "He's tired, he's battered, he's bleeding, but he keeps saying give me the ball and let's go win the game, and then he turns around and does it on defense;" and

WHEREAS, following the break, both defenses held the opposing offenses off the board, but just over a minute into the fourth quarter, West scored again to give the Hawks back the lead; though the extra-point was no good, making it 13-7. Prep took the lead back with under five minutes remaining in the game, punching the ball in on the ground from a few yards out, and the Patriots led 14-13 with 4:37 remaining. Hartfield scored late to take the lead when, once again, West pushed the ball over the line. The Hawks attempted to go for the two-point conversion to extend the lead, but were unsuccessful, making the score 19-14 with 1:05 to go. As the Patriots drove in an attempt to take the lead, Major Quin was stripped by West, and the Hawks recovered the ball. One kneel would end the game, with Hartfield Academy winning 19-14; and

WHEREAS, "I can't say enough about our defense in the last two weeks," Coach Bowman said. "In the semi-finals, they answered the bell and tonight they answered the bell"; and

WHEREAS, the win is the second-straight for Hartfield Academy and the second overall. "Back-to-back feels incredible," Bowman expressed. "This is the first time this team has even said that. This community is amazing, our fans are amazing, we're going to glorify God through this and we're really grateful"; and

WHEREAS, the Hartfield Academy 2024-2025 Varsity Football Roster: Kenzy West, Bralan J. Womack, Kaden Catchings, Twaskie Jones, Spence Bradshaw, Sam Sheffield, Teryn Green, Cooper Howard, Josh Wooten, Connor Mullins, Coleman Williams, Kingsley Gibbs, Cayman Tapper, Tanner Binkley, Ethan Elliott, Hayden McMinn, Coleman Yoder, Ford Ray, Dylan Harris, Dylan Lazo, Larry Davis, Woods Roberson, A.J. Rushing, Justus Wallace, Dereck Lazo, Josh Holmes, Easton Eldridge, Stone Stogner, Luke Baldwin, Jeffery Finnie, Owen Stroh, Brodie Hutton, Brandon A. Turner, Jacob Jones, Sam Oakley, Blake Stroh, Garrett Gilbert, Ian Hollingsworth, London Simmons, Jaden Stingley, Brad Myers, Reginald Vaughn, Jay Shinard, Rory Vaughn, Colby Kelly, Payne Weaver, Joseph Adcox, John Shimfessel, Ethan Dixon, Harrison Fuller, Andrew Gonzalez, Limarcus Jones, Rob Horner, Skye Dilworth, John Clark, Ty Cannon, Reed Rogers, and Bryce Stubbs; Head Coach, Craig Bowman; Assistant Coaches, Will Davis, Ryan Lindsey, Bryan Pittman, Cody Saxton, Stuardt Saxton, Shane Schurb and Pack Toler; 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 SENATE 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 their second-straight Mississippi High School Activities Association 6A State Championship and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Craig Bowman and Hartfield Head of School David Horner, forwarded to the Hartfield Academy Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.