MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Younger, Jackson (32nd), Jackson (15th), Turner-Ford, Blackwell, Burton, Clarke, Dearing, Fillingane, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE "LIONS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND "COACH OF THE YEAR" BUDDY STEPHENS FOR WINNING A RECORD-SETTING FIFTH NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND NUMBER-ONE RANKING IN THE FINAL NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION POLL.
WHEREAS, East Mississippi Community College "Lions" Football Team won its fifth National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship in a way Head Coach Buddy Stephens never imagined. The No. 1 Lions didn't score an offensive touchdown in capturing their second-straight National Title, this one a 10-9 escape over Garden City (Kansas) Community College on November 29, 2018, at Carnie Smith Stadium on the campus of Pittsburg (Kansas) State University; and
WHEREAS, despite just 27 yards total offense in the second half and a 1-for-13 third-down conversion ratio for the game, East Mississippi finished off a perfect season at 11-0 and stretched its winning streak to 16 games. The Lions did so by scoring 10 points in the game's first 17-1/2 minutes on a Josh Smith field goal and a TD fumble recovery return by Defensive End Everitt Cunningham followed by Smith's extra point. After that, it was all defense for both teams with the Lions making huge stop after huge stop; and
WHEREAS, Garden City outgained EMCC 252 to 211 in total offensive yardage, including 236 rushing yards by the Broncbusters who entered the game averaging an NJCAA leading 307.6 yards per game. The difference was the Lions forced four turnovers from Garden City (10-1) and East Mississippi's biggest gaffes weren't as severe. The Lions went to the locker room at halftime believing they should have been leading by more than 10-0. EMCC took full advantage of field position. On Garden City's third snap of the final possession at GCCC 9, the Lions with 2:01 remaining and Cunningham forcing and recovering his second fumble of the night on the game's final play; and
WHEREAS, the Lions became the second NJCAA member school (Butler in 1998-1999 and 2007-2008) to claim back-to-back National Football Championships on two separate occasions. "This was a team win," Coach Stephens said. "What a way to get it." East Mississippi's Buddy Stephens is now a five-time NJCAA National Champion as a Head Football Coach; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 East Mississippi Community College Championship Football Team Roster is: Jason Brownlee, WR; Kalem Reddix, WR; Rashad Eades, WR; Fred Hervey, LB; Dontario Drummond, WR; Keilos Swinney, DB; Braden Boykin, WR; Lashawn Paulino-Bell, DL; JaQuez Akins, DB; Messiah deWeaver, QB; Jacob Anderson, DB; Vijay Miller, QB; TyQuan Ulmer, WR; Pervis Frazier, WR; Julian Conner, WR; Travion Jones, WR; Joseph Anderson, DB; Austin Morphis, WR; Adrian Miller, WR; Deon McIntosh, RB; DJ Clayton, WR; Taemaus Glass, LB; CJ Terrell, DB; Terence Cherry, DL; Keon Moore, RB; Shavoke Herrington, DB; Josh Miller, DB; CJ Gholar, DB; Untareo Johnson, LB; John Valesco, LB; Jeremiah Braziel, DL; Josh Smith, K; Johnny Moss, P; Kaleb Gentry, LB; Brett Burton, LS; Sci Martin, Jr., DL; Tray Brownlee, DB; EJ Woods, LB; Eriq Kitchen, DL; Jakoby Jones, OL; Connor Reinike, OL; Matt Toles, OL; D'Anthony Page, OL; Baylee Trusty, OL; Tariq Adams, OL; LaQuinston Sharp, OL; William Barnett, OL; Phe'Quan Johnson, OL; JD Beall, OL; De'Marrio Edwards, WR; Mackie McNeal, DL; Kane Taylor, DL; Everitt Cunningham, DL; Montavious Thomas, DL; and Darel Middleton, DL; Head Coach Buddy Stephens; and Assistant Coaches: David Boykin, Cliff Collins, C.J. Johnson, Justin Sanders and Courtland Hays; and
WHEREAS, this fifth National Championship was a fitting way to remember legendary Coach Bull Sullivan, whose strict disciplinary coaching methods and success were the topic of a famous Sports Illustrated article "The Toughest Coach There Ever Was"; and it is with great pride that we note this fifth National Championship by a team which has brought honor to its college, its 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 East Mississippi Community College "Lions" Football Team and "Coach of the Year" Buddy Stephens for winning a record-setting fifth NJCAA National Championship and Number-One ranking in the Final National Junior College Athletic Association Poll, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors on this honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Stephens and East Mississippi Community College Interim President Dr. Randall Bradberry, the Board of Trustees of East Mississippi Community College and the Mississippi Community College Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.