Senate Resolution 52

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON PREP "PATRIOTS" BOYS SOCCER TEAM FOR ITS SECOND STRAIGHT MISSISSIPPI PRIVATE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Luke Addison's header with 1 minute, 25 seconds to play in the first sudden-death overtime gave Jackson Preparatory Academy a 2-1 victory over Washington Academy for its second straight Mississippi Private School Athletic Association State Title before a raucous crowd of 700 at Patriot Field in Flowood, Mississippi, on Saturday, February 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, with fans lined up from end line to end line on both sides and Jackson Prep students in the back of pickup trucks on the corner of Patriot Field, the two teams battled for 80 minutes of regulation, two ten-minute overtime periods and most of the first five-minute sudden-death overtime period before the winning play by Luke Addison, talented 6'4", 195-pound senior playing his last game for Prep; and

WHEREAS, Prep finished the season 16-1-1 and avenged the only blemish on its record in the semifinals and finals. The Patriots defeated Jackson Academy 2-1 in a shootout after Jackson won 2-0 in the regular season, and Prep and Washington Academy had tied 1-1 earlier in the season. Prep won its second straight title and sixth title since MPSA began championship play; and

WHEREAS, the Patriots were led with enthusiasm by Coach Jon Marcus Duncan, who played as an 8th-grader and freshman the first time Prep had won two straight titles in 1991-1992; and

WHEREAS, team members for the 2002-2003 Prep Soccer Team are as follows: David Ross, Michael Madakasira, Luke Addison, Daniel Ulmer, Christopher Pinksten, Lee Tatum, Warren Bowling, Ben Buckner, Sam Love, William Robbins, Andrew Houston, Taylor Bowling, William Van Devender, Kevin Thomas, Grant Ridgeway, Andrew Gowdey, Wes McManus, Hunter Owen, Phillip Buffington, Harrison Nance, Andrew Polk, Kip Wilson, Derrick Flinn and Mark McVey; Goalkeepers: Jack McLarty and Drew Lewis; All Conference: David Ross, Luke Addison, Michael Madakasira, David Ulmer, Phillip Buffington and Wes McManus; All-Stars: David Ross, William Robbins, Daniel Ulmer and Luke Addison; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this team 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 Jackson Preparatory Academy "Patriots" Boys Soccer Team and Coach Jon Marcus Duncan for their second straight MPSA State Championship and their outstanding 2002-2003 season, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature for future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Jackson Prep Boys Soccer Team, Coach Jon Marcus Duncan and the Headmaster of Jackson Prep, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.