MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Barnett
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST RANKIN HIGH SCHOOL LADY COUGARS SOCCER TEAM AND COACH CARLI LITTLE FOR MAKING SCHOOL HISTORY BY WINNING BACK-TO-BACK MHSAA CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WHEREAS, after winning the State Championship in the 2024 season, the Northwest Rankin's Girls Soccer Team wanted to make school history and win back-to-back state titles. Mission accomplished; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars lost only two games in the 2025 season and defeated Tupelo 3-0 in the championship game for their second-straight MHSAA Class 7A State Title and Gold Ball Trophy; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 team was led by a large senior class, many of whom are taking their talents to the next level at schools such as Southwest Mississippi Community College, Jones County Junior College, Holmes Community College, and Meridian Community College. However, Northwest Rankin Coach Carli Little contributes a large portion of the team's success and the program's depth; and
WHEREAS, "We had a lot of talent spread out," said Little, who finished her fifth season as Northwest Rankin's Head Coach. "We had players just like any team that go down throughout the season with injuries, and one of the biggest things that we pride ourselves on is this 'next man up' mentality; and
WHEREAS, defender Myla Thortis, one of the two senior captains, was in complete agreement. "This team was special because of our depth and experience," Thortis said. "We knew what it was going to take to get this done, and we always had the next player up ready to step up at any time;" and
WHEREAS, "We have routines," said Coach Little, who is assisted by Daylin Britt, Taylor Leddy and Harrison Armour. Little's pride was not just in the team's performance on the soccer field. "I'm most proud of how they lean on each other," Little said. "They're teammates and friends. They truly care about each other. If somebody is not having a good game or going through a rough patch whether it's an injury or a mental block, they really lean on each other to help and pull each other up;" and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Northwest Rankin Girls Lady Cougars Soccer Roster: Caitlin Massey, Lilly Mott, Bristal Binkley, Greer Gerguson, Madilyn Holley, Vianne Harley, Amaya Littlejohn, Andee Stetson, Tatum Johnston, Abigail Shaw, Corinne Harley, Bella Hogan, Katie Sasser, Aly Vancor, Emily Dixon, Kaylee Ott, Hadlee Mooney, Savannah Jordan, Keelan Boston, Tyler Grace Sims, Grace Harmon, Katie Hennington, Rylee Shaw, Myla Thortis, Sarah Kate Foreman, Kate Gray Nesbit, Sidney Clare Sing, Izzy Smith, Kinsey Horton, Crissi Tenner, Amiyah Barnes, Parker Morris, Delilah Roberts, Anna Claire Sherman, Aubrey Harmon, Zoey Brown, Madeleine Martinez, Allie Carpenter, Marley Oubre, McKinley Drennan, Kayleigh Drennan, Taylor Crockett, Kalyn Oubre, Presley Rainer, Brooklyn Robinson, AP Smith, Cailey Smith, Zoe Cross, Savannah Wiltshire, Morgan Gates, Lillian Harley, Peyton Smith, Erin Park and Coach Carli Little; 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Northwest Rankin High School Lady Cougars Soccer Team and Coach Carli Little for making school history by winning back-to-back MHSAA Class 7A State Championships, and extend to the team, coaches, administration, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Carli Little for the team, forwarded to the Northwest Rankin Principal Lewis Bradford and the Rankin County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.