Senate Resolution 22

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2020 CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL "MUSTANGS" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND COACH ANDREW YEOMAN FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER STATE 5A CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, for Center Hill High School in DeSoto County, it was a season full of triumph and success for the 2020 Boys Soccer Team. The only thing standing in the way of ultimate triumph was Long Beach, who has played for the State Championship trophy three years straight. Both teams' seasons depended heavily on their defensive style of play and that was evident on February 7, 2020, when the Mississippi High School Activities Association's (MHSAA) 5A State Championship game was played at Brandon High School; and

WHEREAS, it was not until the 68th minute that there was a breakthrough in the 0-0 tie. With roughly 22 minutes left to play, it was Long Beach that struck first. Less than a minute later, super-sub Kuba Maszkiewicz tied the game and with only eight minutes remaining in the game, senior Diego Valenzuela punched in the game-winner (2-1) to win Center Hill's first-ever MHSAA 5A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the goal represented much of what Head Coach Andrew Yeoman instilled in his team since the start of the season. It was a wonderful example of teamwork, which put the exclamation point on a 17-1 season; and

WHEREAS, the former DeSoto County Coach of the Year delivered Center Hill its first-ever State Title in soccer. For the Mustang players, their legacy will forever be cemented into the history of Mississippi and Center Hill High School alike; and

WHEREAS, the 2020 Mustangs Boys Soccer Team Championship Roster: Caden Tackett, Michael Floyd, Tucker Henley, Sam McKnatt, Carter Burton, Brandon Romero, Hart Smith, Spencer Rafacz, Ashton Taylor, Diego Valenzuela, Xzavier Paylor, Ivan Gonzalez, Jay Price, Brayden Bowden, Darryen Hobbs, Josh Polk, Kyle White, Braden Taylor, Ethan Scott, Osvaldo Gonzalez, Christian Holman, Blake Legrow, Rafael Sá, Spencer Reynolds, Kuba Maszkiewicz, Abram Alcantara, Isaac Lunz and Ace Wells; and Coach Andrew Yeoman; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2020 Center Hill High School "Mustangs" Boys Soccer Team and Coach Andrew Yeoman for winning their first-ever State 5A 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 Yeoman for the team and Center Hill High School Principal Doug Payne, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.