Senate Concurrent Resolution 611

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LAMAR SCHOOL "RAIDERS" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND COACH LEON POWELL FOR REPEATING AS MAIS CLASS AAAA DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONS.

WHEREAS, the Lamar School "Raiders" Boys Soccer Team celebrated with the Division II Trophy after defeating Hartfield 2-0 at the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) State Championships on February 23, 2019, at Jackson Prep in Flowood, Mississippi, repeating as State Champions; and

WHEREAS, Lamar dominated the first half of the MAIS Class AAAA Division II Soccer Championship Game against Hartfield Academy with a 9-3 edge in shots on goal while benefiting from a brisk northerly breeze, but the half ended scoreless. Raiders' Coach Leon Powell was concerned knowing his team would have to play into the wind the second half. "From my history in playing the sport, I know that you take the breeze the first half, because it might not be there the second half," he said. Not to worry. The Raiders scored two second-half goals to repeat as Champions with Purvis 2-0 victory. With exactly 20 minutes left in the game, Wesley Purvis hit a rocket from the 15-yard line that went just over the fingertips of the Hartfield Goalkeeper and just under the crossbar. With Hartfield pressing the attack in the final two minutes for the equalizer, Lamar's Jake Davidson slipped the ball to Miller Hodge to score into the empty goal, clinching the victory; and

WHEREAS, it was the third meeting between the two teams this year. During the regular season, Lamar won 2-1 and lost 1-0. The Raiders finished 11-5-1. Four Lamar Raiders were named to the South Division All-Star Team: Sophomore Miller Hodge, Junior Wesley Purvis, Senior Jake Davidson and Senior William Majure; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 "Raiders" Boys Soccer Championship Team Roster is: Landon George; Axel Murphy; Brandon Kidd; Matt Smith; Will Thames; Zach Purdy; Brady Lagendyk; Harry Durgin; Jake Davidson; Wesley Purvis; Brooks Brock; Leland Moseley; Jackson Morgan; Harvey Griffen; William Majure; Lennon Oltremari; Lee Garrett; Hayden Farrar; Miller Hodge; Hayden Baumgaertner; Landon McElroy; Lake Morgan; Zagar Cooper; and Benjamin Bryan; Head Coach Leon Powell; and Shane Adams, Director of Athletics; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of 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 commend and congratulate the Lamar School "Raiders" Boys Soccer Team and Coach Leon Powell for repeating as MAIS Class AAAA Division II State Champions, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Leon Powell for the team, forwarded to Lamar High School Principal Linda Dulaney, Head of Schools Leigh Ann Ballou and the Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.