Senate Concurrent Resolution 602

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING 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, we join the students of the Hollandale School District in the excitement of 25 straight football victories, a perfect 13-0 season and second consecutive MHSAA Class 1A State Championship by the Hollandale-Simmons High School "Blue Devils" Football Team and Head Coach Tavares Johnson; and

WHEREAS, on December 2, 2016, the Mississippi State Football Championship was held on the campus of Mississippi State University. Hollandale-Simmons dropped from Class 2A to 1A in 2014, and the move has been big for the school. 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 (13-0) overcame three touchdowns called back because of penalty, but their defense delivered when they needed it most. Simmons won for its fallen teammate, Detayvion Reynolds, who passed away in October. "He was our inspirational leader," Coach Johnson said. "The players used his motivation to dig deep and come out with a victory"; and

WHEREAS, Hollandale-Simmons scored 98 points in its first round playoff game against Faulkner. What was also impressive about that game was that Simmons did not allow any points. The Blue Devils' defense was only allowing 8.1 points per game. During the 2016 season, Marquez Pam was the do-it-all standout who rushed for over 1,875 yards with over 30 total touchdowns. Also, Demarrius Turner, sophomore, had over 824 yards rushing with nine touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, finishing off the Panthers was a tough task. While the Blue Devils pulled away late, things didn't go their way in the beginning. After Johnson's speech to his team, Simmons reeled off three straight touchdowns to take a 22-6 lead into halftime and held on for the victory. Pam led the Blue Devils with 91 rushing yards and two scores, and he had a 58-yard interception return in the second quarter that set up his first touchdown, a one-yard run that put Simmons up for the victory; and

WHEREAS, the Simmons "Blue Devils" 2016 Football Roster is:

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 with great pride that we commend a 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 recognize 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 our best wishes to the team, coaches, administrators, parents, and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Hollandale-Simmons "Blue Devils" and Coach Tavares Johnson, Superintendent Angela Johnson, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of the Hollandale School district, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.