House Resolution 71

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE RALEIGH HIGH SCHOOL "LIONS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH RYAN HIGDON FOR WINNING THE 2022 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Raleigh High School captured the 2022 trophy as the MHSAA Class 3A Champions; and

WHEREAS, this win comes after the school came up short in its only other Mississippi Championship Game appearance twenty-seven years ago; and

WHEREAS, the Lions claimed the championship title by defeating Noxubee County, 55-52, in a 3A Title Game that featured the most combined points of any MHSAA State Championship Game since at least 1981; and

WHEREAS, a riveting game by all accounts, the game emerged as a clash of two athletic giants on the offensive side of the ball: four-star Ole Miss commit Suntarine Perkins for Raleigh (14-1) and Sophomore Quarterback Kamario Taylor for the Tigers (10-5), with Perkins carrying the ball 32 times for 331 yards and four touchdowns, but it was a play he made on the defensive side of the ball that secured the school's historic win; and

WHEREAS, Perkins undercut a Noxubee County receiver to intercept and set Raleigh up at the Tigers' 23-yard line after the Lions turned the ball over on downs midway through the fourth quarter with a one-point lead and fought through contact for a 16-yard touchdown to help secure the win with spectator coaches Rebels Coach Lane Kiffin and Alabama Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding in attendance; and

WHEREAS, even though the Tigers carried a one-point lead into the halftime locker room thanks to two first-half fumbles by Raleigh, the Lions recovered going ahead with a 55-46 with 2:37 left on Perkins' touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion; and

WHEREAS, "We've been working at this since we were five and six years old with the same group of boys I'm with now," Perkins said. "To be able to win our first 3A Championship, it's amazing"; and

WHEREAS, "When I got here, this was our goal," Raleigh Coach Ryan Higdon said. "The community finally just started believing, and they've been behind us all year. This is as much for them as it is for me, our staff, our kids"; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Raleigh "Lions" Championship Roster includes: Jermaine Keyes, Jay Owens, Hayden Bowen, Suntarine Perkins, Javarious Walker, Kyvryn Moncrief, Jordan Coleman, Jacob Bowen, Rodriquez Heard, Marcus Perkins, Isaiah Strickland, Jamarcus Mccullum, Shamir Horne, Tanner Middleton, Mason Smith, Deuce Carter, Kendrayln Keyes, Ladarrius Jordan Watts, Brandon Laird, Joell Page, Zack Smith, Eli Eason, Jaylin Owens, CJ Moncrief, Jabryint Clark, Caleb Murray, Royce Howze, Jalik Jones, Demonta Keyes, Brendon Harper, Daniel Allen, Kentrell Keyes, Clay Craft, Iman Gavin, Jacob Harris, Jamarion Owens, Matthew Roberts, Jeteric Ellis, Jayden Wilbon, Jayden Roberts, Samuel Houston, Braden McKinley, Jeffrey Allen, Jessie Maas, Connor Adcock, Gage Covington, Logan Dearman, Jacob Keyes and Colton Worrell; Head Coach, Ryan Higdon; and Assistant Coaches: Michael Allen, Stuart Dickerson, Larry Means and Jared Smith; and

WHEREAS, since the team's major championship win, it has suffered two major losses with the passing of two of their beloved players Isaiah Strickland and Ethan Adcock who lost their lives suddenly; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to celebrate the accomplishments of student athletes who positively contribute to their school's athletic record while displaying immense sportsmanship:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Raleigh High School "Lions" Football Team and Head Coach Ryan Higdon for winning the 2022 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to Coach Ryan Higdon, members of the championship team, Raleigh Principal Staci Hughes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.