Senate Concurrent Resolution 573

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PEARL "PIRATES" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND VETERAN COACH CHRIS RASH FOR WINNING A RECORD 10TH MHSAA STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the dynasty continues for the Pearl "Pirates" Boys Soccer Team as they defeated Germantown in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Title game for the second straight year. The MHSAA Soccer Championship game on February 7, 2015, at Clinton produced a newcomer who crashed the party in dramatic fashion by winning a shootout as underdogs; and

WHEREAS, the Pirates beat the Mavericks 2-0 to capture a record 10th Boys MHSAA State Crown. Pearl got a first half goal from Hunter Cagle before Paxton Bounds added the second goal 14 minutes into the second half. Pearl needed to score a last-minute goal and withstand a missed last-second penalty kick for a 2-1 semifinal win over Pascagoula; and

WHEREAS, under veteran Coach Chris Rash, the Pirates finished the season 19-3-3; and

WHEREAS, Nick Lawrence had been the second-string goalie for the Pearl Boys Soccer Team all year, getting into a few games late when the outcome was no longer in doubt. Until the MHSAA 5A Championship Game, "You always feel a little pressure at the beginning of a game, but as it settled down I just felt great," Lawrence said. "I have to give it all to my defense and my team." Lawrence had to defend a Pascagoula penalty kick that bounced off the crossbar as time expired. It's the 10th Championship for Pearl (19-3-3), more than any other boys team and tied with the Our Lady Academy Girls for most by any school; and

WHEREAS, the 2015 Pearl Boys Soccer Team Roster is: 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, Nathaniel Web, and Coach Chris Rash; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes which has again 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 Pearl "Pirates" Boys Soccer Team and veteran Coach Chris Rash for winning a record 10th Mississippi High School Activities Association State Soccer Championship, 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 Rash and Pearl High School Principal Dr. Lundy Brantley, forwarded to the Pearl School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.