Senate Concurrent Resolution 519

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL "TIGERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH RYAN EARNEST FOR THEIR FIRST CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 12 YEARS.

WHEREAS, Collins High School "Tigers" Football Team erased an 11-point deficit at the half to beat Charleston High School 28-20 in overtime on December 7, 2014, for its first 3A crown since 2002. Collins (14-2) won its third State Title and its first since winning back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) 3A Championships in 2001-2002; and

WHEREAS, when it counted, and Collins had to make a play to secure a championship, it did. Quarterback Detric Hawthorn tossed a touchdown pass in overtime to Mark McLaurin, then added a pass to Calvin Keys for the conversion, and the Tiger defense made it stand up for the thrilling 28-20 overtime victory over Charleston in the MHSAA Class 3A State Championship Game at Davis Wade Stadium; and

WHEREAS, the Tigers were a different team in the second half. The Tigers opened the half by driving 61 yards on eight plays, four of them passes from Hawthorn to Keys, including the touchdown on a 32-yard strike. "Our players kept fighting, even when it didn't look good," Collins Coach Ryan Earnest said. On the final play of the game, Julius Hawthorn knocked the ball away to send the Collins side of the stadium into celebration. "These players have got a great amount of heart, a great amount of character and a great amount of desire," Earnest said; and

WHEREAS, the key player in the Championship Game was Mississippi State Safety commitment Mark McLaurin, and the 2014 Collins High School "Tigers" Football Team Roster is: John Mcinnis, Timothy Durr, D'edwin Hawthorn, Calvin Keys, Julius Hawthorn, Kenterious Rhodes, Dorrean McLaurin, Detric Hawthorn, Rakerian Forrest, Martavious Washington, Mark McLaurin, Yosaries Magee, Derric Hawthorn, Octavius Edison, Kordell Mcinnis, Malik Phillips, Kacee Hayes, Tavarian McCullum, Joshua Knight, Paris Fairley, Joseph Magee, Corrie Barnes, Juwan Booth, Ladarius Barnes, Tadarius Barnes, Sherman Ratliff, Tee Dossett, Silas Carter, Tydarius Womack, Tristan Johnson, Cory Short, DD McLaurin, Lee Barnes, Deandre Ducksworth, Jerry Carney, Thomas Crocker, Deon Arrington, Rashad Pope, Saybien Jones, Danny Blanks, Joe Owens, Jabari Goudy, Jaylen Herrin, Andrew Keys, Tykerius Womack, and Javin Fariley; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this group of student athletes who have brought pride 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 Collins High School "Tigers" Football Team and Coach Ryan Earnest for their first Class 3A State Championship in 12 years, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Ryan Earnest and Collins Principal Brian Bagwell, forwarded to the Covington County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.