MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Longwitz, Butler (38th), Chassaniol, Hill, Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Lee
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON ACADEMY "RAIDERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH DAVID SYKES FOR WINNING ITS THIRD STRAIGHT MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, six times this season the Jackson Academy "Raiders" Football Team so dominated teams that referees ran a nonstop clock in the second half. Three times this year, the Raiders won in a game's final seconds. These 2011 Raiders just won; and
WHEREAS, tied with Jackson Prep 14-14 on November 25, 2011, the Raiders capitalized on a fumble and moved the ball into field goal position, where Michael Mordecai nailed a 44-yarder to secure a third straight Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAA Division I State Championship; and
WHEREAS, the Raiders now have a 20-game winning streak, plus a 13-0 undefeated 2011 season — the first since the 2005 Raiders. The Championship Game was televised, as Jackson witnessed JA fans and players at their best. The entire Raider Nation — fans, cheerleaders, Accents, Rowdies, players, Booster Club, parents, teachers and staff — made this win happen; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach David Sykes completed his third season as Head Coach of the Varsity Raiders with his third consecutive MAIS AAA Division I Championship as Head Coach. Coach Sykes was the Head Coach of the Washington School Generals from 1986 to 1999. His teams won 101 games during that span and during a five-year span his teams posted 28 consecutive North AAA wins. He was named "Coach of the Year" four times. Prior to coaching the varsity team, he was Head Coach for the Junior High Raiders where he delivered a perfect 31-0 record in his four seasons. His overall coaching record at Jackson Academy currently stands at 68-2. To date, Jackson Academy holds the record for the most coaches named to the All-Metro Team at three; and
WHEREAS, the 2011 Raiders Championship roster is as follows: Will McDowell, QB/DB; Craig Edgecombe, WR/DB; Chris Young, RB/DB; Benton Kelly, WR/DB; Stephen Brown, RB/LB; Harper Stone, WR/DB; Matt Denny, TE/LB; Blake Weir, WR/DB; Zach Nethery, TE/DE; Jack Pickering, WR/DB; Colin Welsh, QB/DB; David Ford, WR/DB; Walker Fletcher, WR/DB; Jay Shell, QB/DB; Thomas Westbrook, WR/DB; Todd Brown, WR/DB; Michael Mordecai, WR/DB; Hull Bolls, QB; Kevin Anthony, TE/DE; Nicholas Guy, RB/DB; Bradley Lewis, WR/DB; A.J. Arnold, WR/DB; Peyton Adams, RB/DB; Daniel Kennedy, RB/DB; Turner Maxwell, WR/DB; Asher Pickering, WR/DB; Duncan Maxwell, RB/DB; Cooper Reid, RB/LB; Hayden Tierney, RB/DB; Thad Varner, WR/DB; Landon Morris, RB/DB; Austin Richardson, RB/LB; Payton Wood, RB/LB; Bo Coleman, RB/LB; River Morris, WR/DB; Jack Nail, WR/DB; Austin Ellis, WR/LB; Jacob Berry, RB/LB; Sam Thomas, RB/LB; Henry Brown, WR/DB; Sam Berry, RB/LB; Hayes Walker, RB/LB; Carson Dobbs, WR/DB; Boyce Holleman, OL/DL; Matt Smith, OL/DL; Jackson Baumann, OL/DE; Wilson Nalty, OL/LB; Lamarr Banks, OL/DL; Connor Carmody, OL/DE; Caleb Cartwright, OL/DL; Jamaal Clayborn, OL/DL; Sam Rayburn, OL/DL; John Manning, OL/DL; Madison Coleman, RB/DL; William Hontzas, OL/DE; Graham Arinder, OL/DL; Ryder Heath, OL/LB; Jake Barfield, OL/DL; Thomas Tardy, OL/LB; Austin Carroll, OL/DE; Hayden Speed, OL/DE; Andrew Hanebuth, OL/DL; Bryan Pittman, OL/DL; Adam Pond, OL/DL; Jake Williams, OL/DL; William Crasto, TE/DE; J.D. Maloney, TE/DE; Forrest Davidson, TE/DE; Jake Rawlings, WR/DB; Taylor Thomas, TE/DE; Frankie Cobbins-Bailey, TE/DE; and Wil Moore, TE/DE; Head Coach David Sykes; and Assistant Coaches: Brock Angle, Jason Williams, Brian Madden and John Smith; and
WHEREAS, Jackson Academy's campus is thriving with nearly 1,450 students in Grades K3 through 12. The school is a member of the prestigious Cum Laude Society Academic Honorary, one of only four charter members in Mississippi. Jackson Academy is the largest independent school in Mississippi. Its mission is "to serve students who aspire to higher education and lifelong learning in a balanced and nurturing environment in which each student is valued and is challenged to become a responsible citizen who can achieve his or her intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical potential"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this team of 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 2011 Jackson Academy "Raiders" Football Team and Head Coach David Sykes for winning their third consecutive Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA State Championship, and extend our best wishes to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Sykes, President Peter Jernberg and Headmaster Pat Taylor for the team, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.