House Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PEARL HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHRIS RASH UPON WINNING THEIR TENTH MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 5A BOYS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Pearl High School Pirates Boys Soccer Team dynasty continues to amass state championship trophies as they defeated the Germantown High School Mavericks Boys Soccer Team 2-0 at Madison Central High School to emerge as the 2015 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A Boys Soccer State Championship title holders; and

WHEREAS, being incredibly well disciplined young men, the Pirates performed extremely well in the state playoffs because they constantly played with clear eyes, full hearts, and unimaginable amounts of strength, and on February 7, 2015, in a stellar championship performance against Germantown, the Pirates Soccer Team reigned supreme yet again and claimed their tenth MHSAA Soccer State Championship, which is the most championship titles held by any boys team in the state; and

WHEREAS, in becoming the 2015 MHSAA Class 5A Boys Soccer State Champions, the Pirates, who make it their goal every year to win the state championship, did whatever it took to succeed at the championship level, including investing countless measures of hard work above and beyond the efforts of other teams; and

WHEREAS, ending the season with an impressive 19-3-3 record, one of the Pirates' few losses came at the hands of their championship foe, Germantown, but defeat in the first meeting led to the Pirates' amplified motivation in the second, more important championship meeting, and because Pearl had played Germantown before, they knew all of the tricks in the Mavericks' playbook and successfully took advantage of this competitive edge, thereby dominating Germantown for the second year in a row to wear the revered championship crown; and

WHEREAS, as many veterans of the game have said, "Defense wins championships," this age old saying defined the immaculate strategy and skill of the Pirates' defense, as the Pearl High School defense's grit, fortitude and determination helped secure the championship victory when they erected a stone wall and did not allow a single goal throughout the entire championship game; and

WHEREAS, the versatile and speedy offense was on point throughout the game, as Pearl's first goal came at the 19-minute mark when Caleb Black kicked the ball into the front of the goal and Hunter Cagle booted it in, and the excellent Pirate performance continued into the second half, as Pearl scored again at the 54-minute mark when Parker Crane placed a corner kick in front of the goal and Paxton Bounds knocked it in; and

WHEREAS, according to veteran Head Coach Chris Rash, striving to win with unparalleled motivation and ardent determination, the Pirates played their best game of the season during the championship match, as their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they exited the locker room until the final buzzer signaled victory and they raised their well-deserved championship trophy under the stadium's twinkling lights as nightfall engulfed Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the 2014-2015 Pirates team's statistics were impressive, and there were outstanding headers, strikes, penalty kicks and goals by individual players, but the key to this team's consistent success has been the constant team atmosphere and year round hard work; and

WHEREAS, playing with nothing but heart and soul all season, the Pearl High School Pirates Boys Soccer Team has great senior leadership amid a very talented and distinguished roster, which ultimately catapulted them to winning their tenth state championship; and

WHEREAS, the 2014-2015 Pirates Varsity Roster is comprised of the following athletes: Javier Avelar, Blake Bell, Tanner Berry, Caleb Black, Chance Brock, Paxton Bounds, Griffin Bush, Hunter Cagle, Dorian Childress, Parker Crane, Haynes Cook, Andy Delcid, Case Eure, Elias Farias, Amilcar Fernandez, Dillon Hayes, Brandon Hewitt, Peyton Jackson, Nick Lawrence, Cameron Ming, Kyle Morgigno, Cole Patrick, Jaron Rawls, Greyson Smith, Billy Smith, Jake Smithhart, Dalton Sullivan, Kenny Thomas, Drake Walker, Damien Winterstein and Nathaniel Web; and

WHEREAS, the Pearl High School Pirates have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Chris Rash, who has broadened the Pirates' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Assistant Coach Shane Fletcher helped the players reach their fullest potential on and off the field and played a huge role in the success of the Pearl High School Boys Soccer Team; and

WHEREAS, Coach Rash and Assistant Coach Fletcher continue to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in their ability to produce high caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, in their tireless dedication, the Pirates have developed a winning, cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitudes reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches, bringing honor to Pearl High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Pearl High School Pirates Boys Soccer Team and Head Coach Chris Rash upon winning their tenth Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A Boys Soccer State Championship and extend best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors 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 Chris Rash and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.