Bill Text: MS SR3 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commend Poplarville High School Hornets Football Team for first 4A State Championship.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-10 - Referred To Rules [SR3 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-SR3-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hill
Senate Resolution 3
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE POPLARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JAY BEECH FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, in a very close game between rivals on December 7, 2024, the Poplarville Hornets Football Team and Louisville Wildcats took to the University of Southern Mississippi's field, fighting to earn the 2024-2025 4A State Championship title. Poplarville held out against Louisville during the true "nail-biter," winning 29-28 and making history for the small-town high school; and
WHEREAS, going to the championship is not new for the Hornets. Poplarville High School has been to the 4A State Championship four times prior, two being against Louisville, and none resulting in taking home the gold ball. With many players out previously in the season, the Hornets overcame adversity. They arrived at the season-ending game with a record of 12-2, winning to close out with an outstanding 13-2 finish. Poplarville persisted and showed up against all odds, winning their first State Championship; and
WHEREAS, hometown superstar Tylan Keys, played a great offensive game against the Wildcats, and his performance clinched him the Most Valuable Player Award. By the end of the game, Keys had 130 rushing yards, a touchdown on 23 carries, and a kickoff return touchdown; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Jay Beech said about Keys: "Tylan gives us something extra, that break-away ability. You need a guy like him to win a state championship"; and
WHEREAS, while Tylan was named MVP, many other players contributed to the ending score of 29 over Louisville's 28, including the Hornets quarterback, Sydney Blackmon. It is safe to say that Blackmon's high school career as quarterback is one to be proud of, with 1580 yards and 16 touchdown passes overall. Alongside their senior quarterback, running back Zack Case, and wide receiver Nick Miller, and newly joined Hornet Jeremiah Moss, also had outstanding seasons; and
WHEREAS, many players played their most challenging on the defensive front to keep the Wildcats away from the endzone and, ultimately, earn the coveted gold football trophy, including Ayden Harmon, Jason "Biggie" Smith, Cole Henry, Parker Pearson, Josh Beck, and Nathan Brown. Overall, the Hornets pushed Louisville's O-Line back for the win; and
WHEREAS, the first State Championship win for the Hornets, could not have been done without the work of the Poplarville coaching staff. Leading the offensive line, head coach Jay Beech and assistant coaches Jacob Owen, Justin Moss, and Chandler Ray all worked together, with assistant coaches Christopher Dewease, Justin Sones, Brad Wells, and Adam Johnson; and
WHEREAS, the scoreboard on December 7 made every inch of Poplarville proud to be a part of the community, even more so to be affiliated with the Hornets. The standout performances of every player and coach made it possible for the community to unite under this victory; and
WHEREAS, the Poplarville High School 24-25 Varsity Football Roster: Kyla Pohlmann, Cole Henry, Nick Miller, Kemari Keyes, Thomas Lambert, Tylan Keys, Zack Case, Jason Smith, Ayden Harmon, Lennox Beech, Chadwick Brown, Ethan Martin, Lock Russell, Ian Magee, Jeremiah Moss, Derek Penton, Jenson Abercrombie, Sydney Blackmon, Eli Seal, Mack Knight, Xavier Martin, Jake Cotton, Remy Naquin, Ben Will, Sam Will, Ethan Allen, Parker Pearson, Brayden Kite, Jaxon Schultz, Jayden Raine, Jaycee Singleterry, Payton Hart, Aaron Graham, Josh Beck, Torry Robinson, Walt Graham, Trac Smith, Zae Smith, Jacob Carollo, Titan Smith, Jakeob Taylor, Semaj Jamison, Jackson Moss, Hayden Blanchard, Rhett McCardle, Graison Craft, Alonso Sanchez, Tate Smith, Jackson Baker, Treyton Prince, Aidan Graham, Jacob Culpepper, Braylen Allen, Lamarcus Compton, Zeke Daffern, Austin Clark, Hunter Heatherly, Jobe Lambert, Brennan Brown, Tanner Stockstill, Tyler Degeorge, Cannon Parks, Brayden Fussell, Aiden Berger, Brooks Avalon, Nathan Brown and Christopher Fussell; 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 Poplarville High School Hornets Football Team and Head Coach Jay Beech for winning their first Mississippi High School Activities Association 4A 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 Jay Beech and Poplarville High School Principal Jonathan Ray for the team, forwarded to the Poplarville Municipal School Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
