House Resolution 58

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HOLLANDALE-SIMMONS HIGH SCHOOL "BLUE DEVILS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH TAVARES JOHNSON FOR REPEATING AS THE 2016 MHSAA CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONS AND FOR THEIR 25TH STRAIGHT VICTORY.

WHEREAS, the Hollandale-Simmons High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Head Coach Tavares Johnson have amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, as they have won 25 straight football victories, completed a perfect 13-0 season and reigned supreme in their second consecutive MHSAA Class 1A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, on December 2, 2016, the Mississippi State Football Championship was held on the campus of Mississippi State University, where the Blue Devils continued their dominance in the championship game as they held on to defeat Lumberton 30-26 to win back-to-back Class 1A Championships and extend their state-leading win streak to 25 games; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Devils overcame three touchdowns called back because of penalties, but their defense provided a stone wall to stop the Lumberton offense when it was needed most; and

WHEREAS, Hollandale-Simmons won for its fallen teammate, Detayvion Reynolds, who passed away in October, and according to Coach Johnson, "He was our inspirational leader. The players used his motivation to dig deep and come out with a victory."; and

WHEREAS, Hollandale-Simmons scored a whopping 98 points in its first round playoff game against Faulkner, while holding their opponent to a mere 18 points, and throughout their season of play, the Blue Devils' defense only allowed an average of 8.1 points per game; and

WHEREAS, during the 2016 season, Marquez Pam was the do-it-all standout who rushed for over 1,875 yards with over 30 total touchdowns, and Demarrius Turner, sophomore and another star on the team, had over 824 yards rushing with nine touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, Pam led the Blue Devils with 91 rushing yards and two scores in the championship matchup, and he had a 58-yard interception return in the second quarter that set up his first touchdown, a one-yard run that put the Blue Devils up for the victory; and

WHEREAS, finishing off the Panthers was a tough task, and while the Blue Devils eventually put the game out of reach, things did not go their way in the beginning, but after Coach Johnson's speech to his team, they reeled off three straight touchdowns to take a 22-6 lead into halftime and held on for the victory; and

WHEREAS, the Hollandale-Simmons "Blue Devils" 2016 Football Roster includes the following impressive and talented athletes: Sumetris Stewart, WR, CB; Juwaun Preston, LB, FB; Fred Smith, WR, CB; Marquez Pam, RB, CB, SS; Ryan Smith, FS; Antavius Rounds; C.J. Williams, WR; Charles Robinson, ILB; Chandler Robinson, QB; Amos Robinson, DE; Tevin Washington; Ta'darrius Williams; Demarrius Turner, RB; Deandre Patton, CB; Stemarion Edwards; Tim Wells; Cameron Washington, DE; Aaron Davis, K, FB, RB; Jatarrion Wilbert, DT; Detayvion Reynolds, C, DT; Tylenn Bridges, C, DT; Joshua Jordan, DT; Javarius Cokley; Tyren Altman; Stephon Harper, WR; Tyus Levy, DE; Charles Taylor; Marquis Warren, G; Eric Clark; Levonte Flanagan; and Head Coach Tavares Johnson; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor fine student athletes in Mississippi, especially those such as the Hollandale-Simmons High School "Blue Devils" Football Team, who have brought honor, glory and pride to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Hollandale-Simmons High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Coach Tavares Johnson for repeating as the 2016 MHSAA Class 1A State Champions and for their 25th straight victory, and extend best wishes to the team, coaches, administrators, parents, and sponsors for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Hollandale-Simmons High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Coach Tavares Johnson, Superintendent Angela Johnson, the Board of Trustees of the Hollandale School District and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.