Senate Concurrent Resolution 509

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL "CHARGERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHRIS CUTCLIFFE FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Oxford High School Chargers Football Team (14-1) had the most impressive run to a state title 2019 season. They defeated Starkville High School and South Panola High School before making it to the Championship Game. Those two teams were ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the final Super 10 rankings of the regular season. Oxford held them to a combined 23 points; and

WHEREAS, in the 6A State Championship Game, the Chargers overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit to defeat Oak Grove 31-21 for their first-ever state title. J.J. Pegues took over in the second half and finished with three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns and 34 rushing yards. He also got the game-clinching sack on fourth down late in the fourth quarter; and

WHEREAS, State Championship celebrations are usually scenes of pandemonium, and this one might have been at another level. Players cried and hugged each other as a fan base hungry for a state title stormed the field. Shirtless male students ran around with white flags emblazoned with Oxford letters. The emotion from all those losses poured into one night like Gatorade on a triumphant head coach; and

WHEREAS, in this case, the Head Coach was Chris Cutcliffe. Amid the celebration, he shared a hug with his father, David, the Head Football Coach at Duke University. "Honestly, it was so chaotic I didn't know what was going on," the Oxford Head Coach said. "There were people coming from everywhere. I think it just means so much to our community to win the first one for Oxford"; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cutcliffe made sure Babyde Pegues and Quarterback John Meagher got plenty of touches in the second half. The duo made the most of every one of them. On their first drive of the second half, Pegues reeled in a 62-yard touchdown catch over the middle. Just like that, the comeback was on. Oxford scored 28 unanswered points to take the lead over Oak Grove. Pegues finished with three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns and 34 rushing yards. Meagher threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 Oxford High School "Chargers" Championship Football Team Roster: Babyde Pegues, Javian Gipson-Holmes, Trip Maxwell, Byron Pearson, JJ Pegues, Tristan Shorter, Scott Norphlet, Jeremiah Pomerlee, Ashur Hickinbottom, Dude Person, Jalen Egerson, Michael Harvey, William Pollard, Roman Gregory, Jon Michael Douglas, John Meagher, Aubrey Bishop, Jalen Webb, Matt Sparks, Lucas McKeown, Jack Gililland, KJ Wadley, Crawford Adams, EJ Wadley, Webb Murphey, Omar Howell, Kortlen Wilfawn, Cam McJunkins, Jacob Rousseau, Kylin Dukes, Chris Herring, Jack Tannehill, Hayden Moore, Xavier Walton, Christian Blake, Tracy Harris, Kiyon Williams, Ja'darius Manning, Jamarious White, Cedric Burrell, Clay Cromwell, Jamal Giles, AJ Toliver, Spencer Morgan, DJ Gibson, Keegan Wilfawn, Walter Dennis, Gray McKellar, Montavious Wilson, Ethan Buschlen, Connor Bradley, Bryson Barksdale, David Kendrick, Demonte Mitchell, Denazah Polingo, Efren Rivera, Eli Solinger, Bryce Mullen, Stratton Smith, Tyler smith, Josiah Bird, Kylan Tumblin, Tucker Cook, Jamarri Sims, Ryder Hayden, Alex Sanford, Joseph Davis, Hayes Buchanan, Charles Douglas, Josh Neilson, Cade Gray, Hunter Beard, Brooks Williams, Logan Thompson, Jamal Pegues, Dekyren Johnson, Aidan Goulding, Jay Wortham, John Noel, Henry Moss, Trynten Brannon, Austin Smith, Johnathan Elliot, Alec Vaughn, Baylor Savage, Rush Harmon, Archer Murphey, CJ Clash, O'Mah Jones, Daedae Gross, Ke'xavier Chapman, Malique Brewer, Josh Zuniga, and James Coleman; and Coach Chris Cutcliffe; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of championship 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 Oxford High School "Chargers" Football Team and Head Coach Chris Cutcliffe for their first-ever Class 6A State Championship 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 Cutcliffe and Oxford Principal Noah Hamilton, forwarded to the Oxford School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.