MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Longwitz, Kirby, Barnett, Blackwell, Carmichael, Fillingane, Norwood, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE THE JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL "PATRIOTS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH RICKY BLACK FOR THEIR 4TH CONSECUTIVE STATE TITLE WHICH IS THEIR 22ND MAIS CLASS AAA TITLE.
WHEREAS, Jackson Prep's dominance as a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools is head and shoulders above the rest of the league. The Patriots have been operating at an elite level for the better part of five decades. They captured their 22nd MAIS Class AAA State Championship in a 51-13 win over MRA on November 19, 2015, to achieve their first four-peat in school history in the 2015 season; and
WHEREAS, even with 90% of Prep's offense and defense gone from last year's team, the 2015 Jackson Prep Squad recorded an undefeated record (13-0), scored the most points in school history (540) and extended an 11-year regular season winning streak at home against MAIS opponents to 54; and
WHEREAS, Jackson Prep has evolved into a well-oiled machine over the last 44 years, one whose long line of success starts long before athletes reach high school. Prep has the best "farm system" in Mississippi. Years before they suit up for longtime Coach Ricky Black, athletes are conditioned to the culture of Prep in junior high football, which begins in seventh grade. Before that, they're already being taught the basics of the game well before many of their peers; and
WHEREAS, "It's amazing what this team accomplished after last year," Jackson Prep Coach Ricky Black said. Black tipped his hat again and again to the seniors for capturing the first four-peat in school history; and
WHEREAS, in the championship game, Prep (13-0) scored four touchdowns in the first 18 minutes of play and led 28-0 at the half. Freshman running back Jerrion Ealy hauled in two touchdown receptions in the second and third quarters. He finished with 201 all-purpose yards and was responsible for securing a 42-7 lead midway through the third quarter after he caught a 10-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone. Quarterback Chance Lovertich's 242 yards passing for four touchdowns played a critical role in the win. Over the past four months, the sophomore not only gained more experience as the season wore on but understood how Prep's offense manifests best. Prep's defense capped off a year where it allowed 10.3 points per game by forcing turnovers early and allowing its offense to get back on the field and score quickly. MRA (10-3) didn't once cross onto Prep's side of the field in the first half and was held to 55 total yards of offense; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Patriots Football Team Roster is: Haynes Horsley, Biggs Henry, Tate Fowler, Adam Crawford, Chance Lovertich, Vann Crawford, Chris Puckett, JoJo Pound, Clark Stovall, Creed Franklin, Kaleb Lovertich, Cooper Carroll, Davis Clayton, Worth Eskrigge, Dylan Torrence, Ryan Myers, Parker Gleason, John Wooley, Jake Newsome, Hays Dubberly, Jack Young, Jacob Crawley, Lee Meena, Jerrion Ealy, Landon Wilbanks, John-Nix Arledge, Jabari Aiken, William Garrard, Wilson Mink, Christopher Russell, Evan Johnson, Reed Peets, Spivey Gault, John Keeler, Edwin Smith, Gannon Hayes, Graham Eklund, Maddox Henry, Ross Edwards, Brock Loposer, Sam Mosley, Nevin Wells, Will Massey, Trey Currie, Barrett Bufkin, J.C. Pride, Kole Crotwell, Xavier Keys, Wesley Williams, Brooks Gobbel, Michael Barranco, Carlisle Porter, Griffin Callender, Spencer Sasser, Knox Loposer, Logan Osborne, Ben Burnett, Patrick Phillips, Brady Culbertson, Walker Wilbanks, Noah Sasser, Jacob Aron, Zachary Gay, Jack Myers, Forrest Smith, Gregory Vance, William Cotten, Caleb Carter, Tyler Tyree, Russell Roberts, Healy Vice, Andrew Beard, Noah Allen, Clark Beard, Taylor Wallace, Russell Weathersby and Nik Hogan; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this team of championship 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 recognize and salute the Jackson Preparatory School "Patriots" Football Team and Head Coach Ricky Black for their 4th consecutive State Title which is their 22nd MAIS Class AAA Title, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Ricky Black for the team, Jackson Prep Headmaster Jason L. Walton, forwarded to the Jackson Prep Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.