Senate Concurrent Resolution 624

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON ACADEMY "RAIDERS" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND COACHES NIC HENDERSON AND SAM PETERS FOR DEFENDING THEIR STATE TITLE AS MAIS DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONS FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, the Jackson Academy "Raiders" defended their state title and won their fourth consecutive Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Division I Boys Soccer Championship at Raider Field by defeating Jackson Prep 3-2; and

WHEREAS, after 80 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime left the rivals tied 2-2, the game went to a shootout and Jackson Academy Sophomore goalie Michael Mordecai stepped up in a big way, stopping two shots as the Raiders claimed their fourth consecutive Championship with a 3-2 shootout victory; and

WHEREAS, in the shootout, Michael McLarty scored for Jackson Academy, and Payne Kellum scored to put the Raiders up 2-0. Michael Mordecai made another outstanding save and Jackson Academy Senior Gentry Smith then ended it with one final kick; and

WHEREAS, it was the second year in a row the Raiders (13-1-2) won the Championship Game on a penalty kick by Gentry Smith; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy's Varsity Boys Soccer Team took the first step toward winning a "4-peat" with a 7-0 victory over East Rankin Academy on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in the season opener at Raider Field, and Jackson Academy was ranked No. 1 in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools' poll by The Clarion-Ledger; 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. Raider teams compete in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools in Division I of the North AAA Conference; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy athletics have a long history of championship teams; and

WHEREAS, the 2009-2010 Raiders Boys Soccer Roster is as follows: Seniors: Payne Kellum, Michael McLarty, Gentry Smith, Clayton Waller and Will Marley; Juniors: Bryan Pace, Davis Rogers, James Peeples and Wesley Pinson; Sophomores: John David Boswell, Alex Conn, Tate Crosby, Turner Maxwell, Michael Mordecai, Andrew Partridge, Harper Stone and Payton Wood; Freshmen: Bo Bickerstaff and Jay Shell; 8th Graders: Duncan Maxwell and Will Parrish; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this unique accomplishment by a group of dedicated 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson Academy "Raiders" Boys Soccer Team, Coach Nic Henderson, and Assistant Coaches Sam Peters and Ryan Webb for defending their State Title as MAIS Division I State Champions for the fourth consecutive year, 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 Henderson and the Raiders Soccer Team, forwarded to Jackson Academy Athletic Director Bobby West, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.