House Concurrent Resolution 56

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MOUNT OLIVE HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH PERRY MURPHY FOR WINNING THE 2009 MHSAA CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on Friday, December 3, 2009, the Mount Olive High School Pirates produced a dominating show of talent, courage and commitment in a triumph in the MHSAA Class 1A State Championship game; and

WHEREAS, these well-deserving champions achieved an amazing and unparalleled run in high school football, from being preseason unranked to claiming their first state title since 1989, when the Steve McNair-led Pirates beat Smithville High School for the Class 1A crown; and

WHEREAS, outfitted with a strong 2009 squad filled with heart, first-year Head Coach Perry Murphy managed to arrange and then direct one of the greatest teams in the Mount Olive High School football tradition; and

WHEREAS, leading his Alma Mater back to the top, Coach Murphy felt his 2009 Pirates Football Team not only accomplished so much athletically, but also grew throughout the season collectively as football players and as young men; and

WHEREAS, in order to win the title game before an estimated crowd of 1,800 fans at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, quarterback Ruben Duckworth scurried for a seven-yard touchdown run, which was followed by a point-after kick that lifted the Mount Olive High School Pirates Football Team to a breathtaking 27-26 overtime victory over Durant for the Mississippi High School Athletic Association 1A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Pirates had a demanding nonregion schedule, overcoming a 0-4 start and winning 10 of their last 11 games in order to secure their place in Jackson for the state championship; and

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of these Pirate student athletes have brought honor to Mount Olive High School and to the entire State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mount Olive's 2009 Pirates roster is as follows: Danzel Keller, Isameal Tribbit, Cooley Davis, Joseph Owens, Girek Wheeler, Octavius Feazell, Rayshad Duckworth, Kyrus Hall, Jimmy Runnels, William Autmon, Rueben Duckworth, Larue Hayes, Desmon Langston, Joshua Nicks, Nirobian Gray, Jamison Feazell, Jacob Runnels, Timothy Feazell, Devonte Williams, Donnell Cooper, Darion Griffith, Kendrick Duckworth, Antawn Easterling, Tozmaun Gray, Jonathan Graves, Jabree Dampier, Jonthan Hinton, Dannie Polk, Joshua Carr, Charvezy Lockett, Robert McInnis, John Baggett, Thomas Gray and Kenneth Feazell; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our young student athletes:

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 Mount Olive High School Pirates Football Team and first-year Head Coach Perry Murphy for winning the 2009 MHSAA Class 1A State Championship and extend best wishes to the team, parents, coaches, sponsors and staff for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Perry Murphy, Mount Olive High School Principal Clay Anglin and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.