Senate Concurrent Resolution 548

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PICAYUNE HIGH SCHOOL "MAROON TIDE" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CODY STOGNER FOR ITS BACK-TO-BACK MHSAA CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the West Point vs. Picayune trilogy is complete, and Darrell Smith struck the deciding blow in favor of the "Maroon Tide." Smith hauled in a short pass in the left flat from Picayune Quarterback Brady Robertson and sprinted 80 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, breaking two tackles on his way; and

WHEREAS, that touchdown gave Picayune High School a 24-14 lead late in the third quarter, and in an explosive and definitive turning point in a second half, the Maroon Tide controlled on the way to a 31-21 win in the Mississippi 5A State Championship game on December 2, 2022, at M.M. Roberts Stadium. After a title game defeat to West Point (11-3) in 2019, Picayune (15-0) can now claim back-to-back championship victories over a powerhouse Green Wave program; and

WHEREAS, it is the first time the Maroon Tide has claimed back-to-back titles, also capping the school's first undefeated season since 1937. "It's so hard to get here," Head Coach Stogner said. "It involves so much work and luck and effort. The things they do are remarkable. I can't say enough about the team"; and

WHEREAS, Darrell Smith's reception marked the second of two completed passes for the Maroon Tide on the night. With a star-studded rushing attack, it mattered little. "It helps when you've got the No. 2 back carrying the load 29 to 30 times a game. We've been knowing Smith was going to be a good player since he was in seventh grade"; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Picayune High School "Maroon Tide" Championship roster is: Dante Dowdell, Jabari McWilliams, Darrell Smith, Niquis Ratcliff, Chris Davis, Brady Robertson, Jessiah Contee, Dylan Martz, Jamonta Waller, Ian Herring, Jamal Simmons, Damarius Magee, Brandon Parker, Jr., Broderick Ducre, Triston Cooper, Chandler Kiley, Nathan Hickman, Javion Goss, Tyran Warren, Tyrel McGill, Robert Williams, Amarion Tyson, Cristian James, Ben Ducker, Winston Drain, James Mitchell, Morgan Craft, Darnell Smith, Jeremiah Grant, Elysha Diodati, Caleb Simmons, Zavion Coleman, Jeremiah Contee, Quinton Haynes, Gage Thibodeaux, Canaan Uzel, Roman Galvez, Peyton Wells, Brennen Williams, Brodie Hassell, Chase Stubbs, Michael Morrell, Karsen Robbins, Jermiah Adams, Donell Lewis, Mitchell Smith, Michael Smith, Marquez Solomon, Ty Grant, Marty D, Frank Simmons, Scotty Adam, Hooty Adam, Joshua Perry and Joe Abston; Head Coach Cody Stogner; and Assistant Coaches Adam Feeley, Seth Hayden and Mark Summers; 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 Picayune High School "Maroon Tide" Football Team and Head Coach Cody Stogner for its back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A 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 Cody Stogner for the team and Picayune School District Principal Kristi Mitchell, forwarded to the Picayune School District Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.