Senate Concurrent Resolution 510

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

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

WHEREAS, twenty-seven years after it came up short in its only Mississippi Championship Game appearance, Raleigh High School can finally lay hands on the trophy; and

WHEREAS, at M.M. Roberts Stadium on December 2, 2022, the "Lions" defeated 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, "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 game quickly became a clash of two top talents 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). Perkins, playing Running Back on offense, carried 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 history; and

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

WHEREAS, the two offenses moved up and down the field at will, combining for 13 touchdowns. There were only two punts between the two sides and 992 yards of total offense; and

WHEREAS, Raleigh had to thwart one final Noxubee County charge. The "Lions" went down the field in 34 seconds to trim the lead to 55-52. A mad scramble for the football broke out on the ensuing kickoff, but the "Lions" emerged from the bottom of the pile with the ball, and Perkins delivered the two first downs they needed to close out the title; 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, the 2022 Raleigh "Lions" Championship Roster is: 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, 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 Raleigh High School "Lions" Football Team and Head Coach Ryan Higdon for winning the 2022 MHSAA Class 3A State Championship and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Ryan Higdon for the team and Raleigh Principal Staci Hughes, forwarded to the Smith County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.