Senate Concurrent Resolution 514

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON ACADEMY "RAIDERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND FIRST YEAR HEAD COACH DAVID SYKES FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS AAA DIVISION I STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Academy "Raiders" 2009 Football Team won the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, Division I Football Championship with a 49-20 victory over three-time defending State Champion Jackson Prep on Thursday, November 12, 2009, before 6,000 fans at Mississippi College's Robinson-Hale Stadium in Clinton, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy, under first year Head Coach David Sykes, finished with the second-best record, 12-1, in school history and won its first State Championship since 2005 when the Raiders captured the third of three straight state titles. Jackson Academy, ranked No. 1 in AAA by The Clarion Ledger, won its seventh state title. Jackson Academy defeated Prep twice this season, beating the Patriots 10-7 in the regular season. Jackson Academy's only loss was a 22-21 decision at Madison-Ridgeland Academy; and

WHEREAS, Will Marley returned two interceptions for touchdowns, Houston Keys scored two touchdowns, Hull Bolls completed two touchdown passes and ran for another score, Jim Hand scored on a blocked punt, and Michael Martin caught a touchdown pass. Michael Mordecai kicked seven extra points. Jackson Academy jumped out to lead when Trenton Winford blocked a punt and Jim Hand returned it for a one-yard touchdown. Houston Keyes followed with a three-yard touchdown run and then caught an 87-yard touchdown pass from Hull Bolls. Will Marley had consecutive interception returns for touchdowns of 67 and 35 yards as Jackson Academy took a 35-0 lead midway through the third quarter. Hull Bolls scored on a 9-yard run and Michael Martin scored on a 19-yard pass from Hull Bolls. Jackson Academy sophomore defensive end-offensive tackle Jackson Baumann received the Victories in Metro Jackson magazine Game Cross Award at the high school football team's Bible study prior to the Championship; and

WHEREAS, the 2009 Raiders varsity football roster is as follows: Houston Keyes, WR/DB; Craig Edgecombe, WR/DB; Trenton Winford, TE/DE; Ken Stewart, QB/DB; Stephen Brown, WR/DB; Rod Ward, RB/DB; Matt Denny, QB/LB; Blake Weir, WR/DB; Harper Stone, WR/DB; Ross Pickering, QB/DE; Davis Rogers, WR/DB; Matthew Kennedy, WR/DB; Will Marley, WR/DB; Thomas Westbrook, WR/LB; Todd Brown, WR/DB; Michael Mordecai, WR/DB; Hull Bolls, QB/DB; Jack Pickering, WR/DB; Mathew Nicholas, RB/DB; Garner Bush, TE/LB; Benton Green, WR/DB; Christopher Jew, RB/LB; Turner Maxwell, WR/DB; Zach Nethery, TE/DE; Payne Kellum, RB/DB; Jamison Barefield, RB/DB; Jim Hand, RB/LB; Keith Shumaker, TE/DE; Peyton Wood, RB/LB; Carter Clarke, WR/DB; Michael Martin, RB/LB; Rich Gilbert, RB/DL; Rob Pillow, RB/LB; Jacob Berry, RB/LB; Wil Moore, OL/DE; Ryder Heath, OL/DL; Patrick Worley, OL/DL; Caleb Cartwright, OL/DL; Taylor Crasto, OL/DL; Travis Williams, OL/DL; Elliott Thomas, OL/DL; Stirling Tighe, OL/DL; Lamarr Banks, OL/DL; Will Denny, OL/DL; Cameron Crockett, OL/DL; Madison Coleman, OL/DL; Andrew Ward, OL/DE; Ryan Mitchell, OL/DL; Thomas Tardy, OL/DL; Mike Fowler, OL/DL; Akash Patel, OL/DL; Joseph Maxwell, OL/DL; Jackson Baumann, OL/DE; Gray Boyles, OL/DL; Adam Pond, OL/DL; Austin Ellis, WR/DE; John David Boswell, WR/DE; Charles Adcock, TE/DE; Head Coach David Sykes; Assistant Coaches Jason Williams, Brock Angle, Brian Madden and John Smith; and

WHEREAS, at Jackson Academy, participation in athletics is viewed as an important component in the overall education experience. Athletics help develop sportsmanship, camaraderie and physical fitness, and 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 SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson Academy "Raiders" Football Team and first year Head Coach David Sykes for winning the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA Division I State Football Championship, and extend to the team members, parents and coaches our best wishes on this great accomplishment and for their future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Sykes and the Raiders Football Team, forwarded to JA Athletic Director Bobby West, Headmaster Pat Taylor and President and CEO Peter Jernberg, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.