Senate Resolution 8

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HEIDELBERG HIGH SCHOOL OILERS FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH DARRYL CARTER FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Heidelberg Coach Darryl Carter vividly remembered his team's loss to Charleston in last year's Class 2A State Championship game. One year later, in front of a crowd equal, if not greater, than the city of Heidelberg's population of 616, the Oilers defeated Charleston 38-6 to win its first-ever championship in school history; and

WHEREAS, behind the stellar play of quarterback Chase Craft, the Heidelberg High School Oilers raced past Charleston to claim the MHSAA Class 2A State Championship at Southern Miss' M.M. Roberts Stadium on December 15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, "I knew if we could get back here, we would have a chance, and we did that," said Heidelberg Coach Darryl Carter. "We just stayed the course and stayed healthy. It wasn’t really a revenge game, but beating someone that took something we wanted feels great"; and

WHEREAS, The Charleston Tigers scored in the first quarter to give themselves a 6-0 lead. Heidelberg tied the at 6-6 with 7:45 left in the second quarter as Chase Craft raced 36 yards to the end zone. The second half was all Oilers. Heidelberg scored on the opening drive of the second half as Chase Craft found Alrekus Graves on a 54-yard touchdown pass to take a 12-6 lead with 9:53 left in the third quarter. After Heidelberg intercepted a pass, Craft connected with Lathaan Gavin on a 51-yard touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion gave the Oilers a 20-6 lead with 5:02 left in the third quarter. On the second play of the fourth quarter and on fourth down, a snap went over the Charleston punter's head and rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety to give Heidelberg a 22-6 lead with 11:49 left in the game. Craft found Ja’Kayden Moore on a 29-yard touchdown pass to stretch the Oilers lead to 30-6 with 8:15 left in the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach. Craft found Moore again on a 3-yard score to give Heidelberg the 38-6 lead; and

WHEREAS, Chase Craft ended the afternoon with 323 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns, going 14-for-21 passing. After a tied 6-6 game going into halftime, Heidelberg scored 32 unanswered second-half points, and was named the game's most valuable player; and

WHEREAS, the Heidelberg High School Oilers 2024-2025 roster: Chase Craft, Ja'Kayden Moore, Lathaan Gavin, Jovian Trotter, Montell Hamilton, D'Mauhd Gavin, Devin Tribble, Destin McCray, Madaylan McKenzie, Camron King, Deon Gilmore, Alrekus Graves, Michael Martin, Lamareon Arrington, Darrell Jefferson, Jr., Zakyle Young, Antonio Gavin, Keyon Gilmore, Anthony McMillian, Jakyrin Bolton, Kaden Porter, Ludrick Cameron, Cristian Jones, Dezmond Allen, Paris Jones, Derrick Bradley, Jameion Kennedy, Barrion Posey, Keelen Newell, Zyheim Arrington, Cameron Goodloe, Landon Jordan, Jacarious Carmichael, Jadarian Taylor, Marcus Washington, Jayden McDonald, Christopher Bender, Traveon McGill, Calaeb Henderson, Tamariyan Ducksworth, Zy'Marion Horne, Tony Lindsey, Zion Jones, Darius Jones, Leland Horne, Tylan Milsap, and Leo Cordova; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of Mississippi 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Heidelberg High School Oilers Football Team and Coach Darryl Carter for winning their first-ever MHSAA Class 2A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, administration, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Darryl Carter for the team, forwarded to Heidelberg Principal Keithsha Jones and the Jasper County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.