House Concurrent Resolution 98

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BASSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL YELLOWJACKETS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH LANCE MANCUSO UPON A REMARKABLE SEASON AND WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, in a showdown of titan rivalry, the Bassfield High School Yellowjackets Football Team defeated two-time State Champions, Ackerman High School Indians, with a 27-13 victory, winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, finishing the season with an impressive 14-2 overall record and 5-0 district record, incurring losses only to Class 4A powerhouse Forrest County AHS and 6A South Champ Oak Grove, the Yellowjackets made an impressive showing throughout the 2009-2010 season of competition capturing the 2009 District 8 Class 2A Championship and Class 2A South Championship to compliment the team's state championship title; and

WHEREAS, this year's championship win catapults the Class 2A title holders, who outscored opponents 493-172 points in a 14-game winning streak, to its fourth state title, a No. 8 ranking by MaxPreps and spawns the resurgence and reinvigoration of a spirit of grandeur in accomplishing such a remarkable feat; and

WHEREAS, the united effort put forth by the team made the Yellowjackets a formidable force to be reckoned with on the gridiron as evidenced by this accomplishment, as well as the honors and recognitions received by several individual players, including: the selection of Justin Penn and Marcus Hosey to the All-State First Team; the naming of Josh Myers and Wilber Myers to the All-State Second Team; the naming of Josh Myers, Marcus Hosey and Justin Penn to the WDAM All-Area Team; the selection of Justin Penn, Marino Daggan, Carvey Magee, Mario Nixon, Larry Copeland, Wilber Myers, Jerome Stewart, Jeremy Johnson and Antonio Ducksworth to the District 8 Class 2A All-District First Team; the tapping of Marcus Hosey as the District 8 Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year; and the selection of Josh Myers as the District 8 Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the Bassfield High School Yellowjackets have been superbly coached and inspired by first-year Head Coach Lance Mancuso, who earned the designated honors of being vetted as 2009 Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year, District 8 Class 2A Coach of the Year, 2009 Hattiesburg American Coach of the Year and WDAM All-Area Coach of the Year, and Assistant Coaches Ryan Higdon, Scott Bass, Donald Nelson, Sean Pounds, Eric Dyess and Kelly Eubanks, who worked seamlessly to refine the players' skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, at Bassfield High School, participation in athletics is viewed as an important component in the overall educational experience, as it fosters the development of sportsmanship, camaraderie and physical fitness; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this unique accomplishment by a group of dedicated student athletes and coaches who 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 Bassfield High School Yellowjackets Football Team and Head Coach Lance Mancuso upon a remarkable season and winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A 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 Coach Mancuso, Bassfield High School Principal Brian Holda and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.