House Concurrent Resolution 21

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TYLERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CHIEFS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH WALTER DENTON FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2009 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at Jackson's Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Tylertown High School Chiefs Football Team won the Mississippi High School Athletic Association Class 3A championship trophy by defeating Aberdeen in a come-from-behind victory on the strength of an explosive offense and a ferocious defense; and

WHEREAS, for Tylertown, the win marked the Chiefs' first state title and their second straight appearance in the championship game by winning the Class 3A South State Championship in 2008 and 2009; and

WHEREAS, the Chiefs have been virtually unstoppable over the past two seasons, finishing the 2009 season with an outstanding record of 15-0 and compiling a 27-1 mark during the last two years; and

WHEREAS, Aberdeen opened with a 20-point lead early in the championship game, but the Chiefs remained focused and Jameon Lewis hit Ken Brown for a 75-yard touchdown strike with 15 seconds left in the first half to begin an amazing run of 34 unanswered points by Tylertown, bringing the championship home to Walthall County; and

WHEREAS, Tylertown had its best season in school history, not only winning the 3A State Championship, but also defeating 6A semifinalist Ocean Springs in the regular season, and the Chiefs are the only football team in the State of Mississippi in any division to go undefeated in the 2009 season; and

WHEREAS, the Chiefs' 2009 football roster is as follows: Jameon Lewis, Jawon Jackson, Dameuntez Magee, Tyre'dune Holmes, Taylor Magee, Deon Howard, Dalvin Jones, Josh Holloway, T.O. Robertson, Adam Wilkes, Duprezyeon Magee, Peyton Denton, Desmine Steward, Ken Brown, JaJuan Caston, Chris Jones, Jake Dykes, Didriquez Smith, Paxton Garner, Dalron Jones, Quincy Conerly, Machearus Bridges, Maquillie Bridges, Charles Jackson, Sam Magee, LaDarrius Slocum, Edward Mark, Jacoby Howard, Josh Holmes, Javis Jackson, Germaine Gatlin, Earl Smith, Tyrion McCray, Darrian Stewart, Dionta Milton, A.J. Mark, Jeremy Badon, Bentrell Holmes, Ryan Chipman, Jace Conerly, Kris McGruder, Blake Couvillion, Tamarcio Brister, John Magee, Anfernee Lowe, Kendrick Magee, Oliver Bates, Parker Young, Causton Magee, Logan Conerly, Tadarrius Youngblood, Matice Spears, Charles Peters, and Brandon Silus; and

WHEREAS, the following players were rewarded for their outstanding play: Jameon Lewis was named Class 3A Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year, 3A Player of the State Championship Game and Division 7-3A Player of the Year; Josh Holmes and Ken Brown were selected Class 3A First Team All-State; T.O. Robertson, Taylor Magee, Logan Conerly, Jawon Jackson and Jace Conerly were named Class 3A Second Team All-State; Deon Howard and Jeremy Badon were selected Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention; and Josh Holmes, Ken Brown, T.O. Robertson, Taylor Magee, Logan Conerly, Jawon Jackson, Jace Conerly, Deon Howard and Jeremy Badon were named First Team All-Division 7-3A; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Walter Denton was ably assisted by Assistant Coaches Jimmy Lee, Jason Johnson, Levern Lee, Brad Dowell, Steve Lawrence, and Scott Lee; and

WHEREAS, Coach Denton has brought additional honor to himself and to Tylertown High School by being named as the Class 3A Mississippi Coaches Association Coach of the Year, and Coach Denton and his assistants were named as the Class 3A Division 7 Coaching Staff of the Year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such a superb group of student athletes and their coaches, all of whom have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Tylertown High School Chiefs Football Team and Head Coach Walter Denton for their outstanding 2009 season and for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Tylertown High School, Head Coach Walter Denton and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.