House Resolution 35

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ST. STANISLAUS ROCK-A-CHAWS MEN'S SOCCER TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2015 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the St. Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws Men's Soccer Team won the 2015 Mississippi High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship on February 7, 2015 in resounding fashion, routing Kosciusko 6-2 and claiming back-to-back state championships; and

WHEREAS, even though Kosciusko took an early 1-0 lead, the Rock-A-Chaws fought back, scoring two goals before halftime and four more goals in the first 17 minutes of the second half before the game ended with a score of 6-2 in the blowout victory; and

WHEREAS, although there were multiple standout individual performances, including Evan Lundgren's hat trick and goals by Matthew Tucker and Patrick McRaney, the Rock-A-Chaws won the game because every teammate played their role perfectly and they executed their game plan to the letter; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Ryan Joiner credited the Rock-A-Chaws tough non-Division 8-4A schedule for their back-to-back state crowns, only losing to six teams all season, two of which were South State finalists and four were State finalists; and

WHEREAS, the Rock-A-Chaws have fierce hearts, and fought throughout the season, beating their crosstown rival Bay High 2-1 in the 4A South State Finals, and finishing with an overall record of 19-6-1; and

WHEREAS, the 2014-2015 Rock-A-Chaws Varsity Roster is as follows: Christopher Luffey, GK, D; Conner Smothers, GK, MF; Will Lawhead, FORW, MF; Gabe Toepfer, FB, MF; John Samson, HB, STRK; Michael Raymond, FB, MF; Patrick McRaney, STRK, MF; Charlie Demetz, MF, STRK; Jeffery Taylor, D, FB; Carter St. Mary, MF, FB; Austin Miller, D, MF; Ian Wadsworth, FORW, MF; Alex Koons, MF, FORW; Matthew Tucker (C), MF, STRK; Evan Hotard, FB, D; Parker Slade, FB, MF; Cody Peranich, MF, D; Stephen Bonck, MF, FORW; Alex Hoelzel, FB, MF; Mason Favre, D, MF; Evan Lundgren, STRK, MF; West Zimmerman, STRK, MF; Seth Taylor, FB; Dustin Bosch, FORW, MF; James Estrada, D, MF; Sihyun Kim, MF, STRK; Ismael Khouma, MF, STRK; Val Palmer, D, MF; Bessleman Charlie, FB, STRK; Nick Romano, MF, STRK; Corbin Blanchard, D, GK; Johnny Contreras, D, MF; Owen Betz, GK; Beau Rimmer, MF, D; Jackson Rogers, MF, STRK; Andrew Elkins (C), MF, D; and Head Coach, Ryan Joiner; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student athletes, such as the St. Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws Men's Soccer Team, 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the St. Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws Men's Soccer Team and Head Coach Ryan Joiner for winning the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches 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 Ryan Joiner, St. Stanislaus Principal Patrick McGrath and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.