House Concurrent Resolution 64

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SIMPSON ACADEMY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON AND FOR FINISHING AS RUNNER-UP IN THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (MAIS) CLASS 4A DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Simpson County Academy Cougars Football Team season finished as runner-up in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 4A Division II State Football Championship after a hard fought game against Lamar School on November 17, 2017; and

WHEREAS, after trailing by 11 points in the third quarter, the Cougars clawed their way back by playing with tremendous determination to tie Lamar School and send the game into overtime, but they came up short at the end and fell by a score of 33-32; and

WHEREAS, the Cougars, playing in Class 4A for their first season after competing in Class 3A for many years, scored an astounding 539 points, the second highest in school history, and the team was honored with 18 All-District, 9 All-State and 4 All-Star players; and

WHEREAS, the Simpson County Academy Football Team's statistics were impressive, and there were numerous outstanding plays by individual players, but the key to the team's success has been the outstanding team spirit and year-round hard work throughout the season; and

WHEREAS, the Cougars are comprised of the following outstanding student athletes: Dylan Hallman, Michael Winstead, Hunter Cline, Cole Weeks, Mason Kennedy, Caleb Garner, Cook Weathersby, Austin Creel, Hooks Harvey, Zach Ainsworth, Bryce Caughman, Jaylon DeVillier, Jacob Shows, Ethan Flynt, Seth Lawrence, Ryan Welch, Blake Boleware, Hayden Cliburn, Andrew Kennedy, Barrett Thompson, Parker Berry, Thomas Pepper, Corbin Hosey, Preston Franklin, Vance Smith, Jr., Robert Grubbs, Keton Cockrell, Owen Riley, Brady Kemp, Payton Keith, Jerrad Bridges, Matthew Mangum, Daniel Pepper, Jimmy Anderson, Tucker Varnes, Lawton Kennedy, Will Douglas, Noah Magee, Bryson Davis, Cole Mcalpin, John Kilpatrick, CJ Jones, Jordan Taylor and Quinn Caughman; and Head Coach Dan Napier; and

WHEREAS, the Cougars were led by 13 seniors who set the example during practice, preparation and workouts; senior running back Dylan Hallman was voted All-District, All-State, and All-Star, and being a team leader who led by example, he had perfect attendance during summer workouts and was a physically dominant runner, having rushed 192 times for 1,753 yards and 23 touchdowns this past season; and senior linebacker and punter Cole Weeks, a playmaker on defense and special teams, was voted All-District and All-State, and he led by example by playing through a fractured leg and dislocated shoulder during the season, and was always willing to go above and beyond to do whatever was necessary for the team; and

WHEREAS, senior running back and linebacker Cook Weathersby played defense and special teams and was voted All-District, All-State and All-Star, and was a team leader who played every snap during the games with tremendous effort, and rushed 151 times for 1,490 yards and 15 touchdowns during the season; and senior defensive back Zach Ainsworth, a playmaker on defense and special teams, was voted All-District and All-State, and led the team by playing with relentless effort and work ethic, which included having perfect attendance during summer workouts; and

WHEREAS, senior wide receiver and defensive back Jaylon DeVillier, a selfless player who was willing to do whatever he could to help the team, often played multiple positions in practice and contributed on special teams; and senior quarterback Ethan Flynt was voted All-District, All-State and All-Star, and he was a tough and selfless leader for the team who often made difficult option reads, as well as called plays and audibles at the line, something few high school quarterbacks are able to do, and passed for 964 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 419 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season; and

WHEREAS, senior linebacker Andrew Kennedy, unable to play due to a knee injury, still found ways to help his team by being a leader who displayed his outstanding character by coming to meetings, workouts and practices, despite being injured, always striving to find a way to help the team however he could; and senior offensive lineman Keton Cockrell, a starter at center, was voted All-District and showed leadership, commitment, and character through his work ethic during the summer, which led to improvements that allowed him to be the center of an offensive line that averaged 7.8 yards per rush; and senior defensive lineman Owen Wiley showed leadership through his willingness to do whatever was necessary for the team; and

WHEREAS, senior offensive lineman Brady Kemp, a selfless player willing to do whatever he could to help the team both in practice and in games, played an important but often unseen role as the second team center as well as contributing on special teams; and senior offensive lineman Jerrad Bridges, a dominant blocker at offensive tackle, was voted All-District, All-State and All-Star, and he was a team leader who often made his block, but made it in a way that would motivate the team to succeed against the opponent; and

WHEREAS, senior offensive lineman Tucker Varnes, a starter at offensive guard and defensive end, was voted All-District and played with great effort, fearlessness and led the team by example, both during the season and during summer workouts; and senior lineman, CJ Jones, a contributor on both offensive and defensive lines as well as special teams, was a selfless player who was willing to do whatever he could to help the team; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend fine student athletes such as the members of the Simpson County Academy Cougars Football Team who have brought honor to their school, their community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the members of the Simpson County Academy Football Team for their outstanding season and for finishing as runner-up in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class 4A Division II State Football Championship, and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Simpson County Academy, Head Coach Dan Napier and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.