Bill Text: MS SC552 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Commend Northwest Mississippi Community College "Rangers" Football Team for 2015 NJCAA National Championship.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-23 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC552 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SC552-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Stone, Blackwell, Parks, Massey, Simmons (13th), Tollison, Chassaniol, Browning, Jordan, McMahan, Jolly, Doty, Jackson (11th), Parker
Senate Concurrent Resolution 552
(As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE "RANGERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JACK WRIGHT FOR WINNING ITS FIRST NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1992.
WHEREAS, for the third straight year, the Junior College National Football Championship was decided on South Mississippi soil. And, for the third consecutive season, a team from the Magnolia State used that home field advantage to take the title home. No. 1. Northwest Mississippi Community College thumped Rochester (Minnesota) Community and Technical College 66-13 on December 6, 2015, in the annual Mississippi Bowl VIII at Biloxi High; and
WHEREAS, it was a match-up of the top two teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association Top 20 Poll. Both teams end the season at 11-1 but it is the Rangers who will take home the national crown. "We played really well, second year Ranger Head Coach Jack Wright said. "This is a tribute to our school, our coaches and our players"; and
WHEREAS, Northwest quarterback Gardner Minshew and tailback Justin Crawford each accounted for a pair of touchdowns in the first 25 minutes of the game, handing the Rangers a commanding 28-0 lead. Minshew, an all-state product of Brandon High, added yet another scoring strike just before halftime to make it 35-0 at intermission. Crawford led all rushers with 145 yards on 19 carries and the two scores, while McCrary hauled in seven catches for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns; and
WHEREAS, this victory marks the third National Championship in school history for Northwest, also winning the Crown Trophy in 1982 and 1992. East Mississippi, which handed Northwest its only loss of the season, had captured back-to-back National Titles with wins in the Mississippi Bowl the past two seasons. "This is a testament to JUCO football in the State of Mississippi," Wright concluded. "Every week in our state you have to be ready to play"; and
WHEREAS, for the first time in 16 years, the Northwest Rangers are MACJC Football Champions, defeating Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 34-24 on November 7, 2015, to claim its ninth State Football Title in program history (2015, 1999, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1987, 1982, 1965, 1960). Northwest improved to 10-1 overall defeating its fifth-ranked opponent in the regular season. It was their first-ever postseason win over the Bulldogs in eight tries; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Rangers Football Team Roster is: Tito Windham, DB; Wesley Bush, DB; Justin Crawford, RB; Alfred Dickens, LB; Gardner Minshew, QB; Chris Williams, DL; Jamison Goods, DB; Ryan Golden, WR; Titus Ivory, WR; Jacob McCrary, WR; KyKy Austin, WR; Shea Chism, QB; Alex Norwood, WR; K.T. McCollin, DB; Steven Bradley, DB; Darius Thomas, WR; David Herrington, LB; Romeel Cochran, WR; Todd Wilson, WR; Marquisian Chapman, WR; Chris Fobbs, DB; Tyrique Armstrong, WR; D'Andre Brown, LB; Tywun Walters, RB; Javonta Woods, DB; Max Joseph, RB; Raheim Avery, LB; Malik Hawkins, LB; Jim Speights, P/K; Willie Bland Jr., DB; Devante Davis, LB; Quondarius Qualls, DL; Aleck Hobson, LB; Willie McCaleb, DL; Quandez Lee, FB; Maurice Rivers, DL; A.J. Smith, LB; Kenyana Heard, OL; J.R. Burns, OL; Jordan Sanders, OL; Corey Brown, DL; Anderson Gund, OL; Chris Phillips, OL; Terrance Malone, OL; Jermaine Jones, OL; Chase Johnson, OL; Andrew Herrington, OL; Jalen Harvey, DL; Kris Reliford, DL; Anthony Gund, DL; Coaching Staff: Jack Wright, Head Coach, Scott Oakley, Wide Receivers; Jim Jones, Offensive Line; Jonathan Webster, Defensive Backs; Travis Macon, Defensive Line and Benjy Parker, Defensive Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of National Champion college athletes who have brought pride to their college, 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 Northwest Mississippi Community College "Rangers" Football Team and Head Coach Jack Wright for winning its first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship since 1992, and extend our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Wright for the team, forwarded to Northwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. Gary Lee Spears and the Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees and the State Community College Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
