Senate Concurrent Resolution 585

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2014 NEWTON COUNTY ACADEMY "GENERALS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND VETERAN HEAD COACH ROBERT ROBERTS FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Newton County Academy "Generals" Football Team clinched the 2014 MAIS Class A championship victory 7-6 against the University Academy of Central Louisiana Lions Football Team in an epic, hard-fought defensive battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the last down was played in Robinson-Hale Stadium on the Campus of Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. The Generals finished with an 11-3 record; and

WHEREAS, in the Championship Game, the Generals broke a scoreless tie two plays into the second half when Jordan Jones made an astonishing over-the-shoulder catch of a Braden Smith pass and stole 55 yards for a touchdown that was the difference between victory and defeat for the Generals, providing Newton County Academy with a 7-0 lead; and

WHEREAS, after the Lions scored on a short run late in the 4th quarter, the Generals' Brandon Harrison and Dustin Alsup defended their field and heroically blocked the 2-point conversion run a half-yard short of the goal line to secure the mighty Generals their first State Championship victory. The fans, dressed in red, white and gold, spilled out of the stands to cheer along the fence behind the Newton County Academy bench at Robinson-Hale Stadium for the championship game; and

WHEREAS, the 2014 Newton County Academy Roster is comprised of the following athletes: Chance Collins, Jordan Smith, Hunter Terrell, Garrett Hollingsworth, Hunter Parker, Braden Smith, Andy Barnett, Zach Joyner, Dustin Alsup, Jordan Jones, Ethan Parker, Braxton Rose, Gunnar Bounds, Joshua Terrell, Bailey McDill, Logan Tadlock, Ty Alderman, Trey Kellum, Dalton Hollingsworth, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Bounds, Will Boswell, Dawson Blackledge, Matt Moore, Chris Cook, Hayden Pace, Cole Killen, Ashton Crosby, Richard Horton and Brandon Horn. The cheerleaders are: Megan Todd, Amanda Creekmore, Jodi Bailey, Cheyenne Kelly, Brittany Harrison, Baleigh Ellis, Alexis Tindall, Bethany Wellerman and Haley Griffin; Mascot, Gigi Hitt; and Assistant Coaches: Rob Roberts, Tommy Mathews, James Williams, Kelly Alderman and Tanner Smith; and

WHEREAS, the Generals have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Robert Roberts, who has broadened the Generals' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution during his nine-year tenure at Newton County Academy; and

WHEREAS, the team's journey to the State Title game was an inspiring one, as the Generals played through much adversity during the year and rallied around teammate Brandon Harrison, who lost his older brother Brad to an untimely death just before the season began. Newton County Academy dedicated the season to Brad Harrison and retired his jersey number, which was Number 7, the exact number of points the 2014 Newton County Academy Generals Football Team needed to score to win its first MAIS Class A State Football Championship Game; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and honor the achievements of these 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 Newton County Academy Generals Football Team and veteran Head Coach Robert Roberts for winning the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A State Football Championship, their first State Title, 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 this resolution be presented to Head Coach Robert Roberts, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Newton Academy, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.