A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Hammond School Varsity football TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA Independent School Association CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Hammond School varsity football team of Richland County captured the state title in the state competition held at Charleston Southern University on Friday, November 17, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Hammond Skyhawks defeated a fine, competitive Laurence Manning Academy in a come-from-behind 28-21 victory to claim the team's seventh consecutive state title; and

Whereas, the Laurence Manning Swampcats took advantage of two Skyhawks' turnovers to advance 14-0 in the first quarter, a lead which they maintained in the first half until Hammond got on the scoreboard with less than two minutes remaining in the half.  After a 19-yard run by Manny Johnson, the score still had Hammond down 14-7 at the half as the teams went to the lockers; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks tied it up on a 74-yard scoring burst by Manny Johnson with four and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter.  Andrew Turner backed him up when he scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run to give Hammond its first lead of the game at 20-14.  Mike Tyler caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Turner in the fourth quarter, but with just over eleven minutes left to play, Laurence Manning took the lead again over Hammond  21-20; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks punted after they failed to convert on the third down, but three plays later, Preston Springs recovered a fumble at the Laurence Manning 25-yard line.  After a penalty and facing another third down and 17 yards from the 32-yard line, Andrew Turner found teammate Mike Tyler in the corner of the end zone, who managed to catch the pass over the Swampcats' defender; and

Whereas, with a 28-21 lead, Hammond turned the field over to their determined defense to shut the Swampcats down.  Laurence Manning got to midfield when an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over to the Skyhawks with two minutes remaining, and they were able to run out the clock; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks' 21-point second half was sufficient to overcome their first quarter deficit.  As the Skyhawks' perennial workhorse, Manny Johnson rushed for 218 total yards on 26 carries; and

Whereas, with the Hammond football program's twenty-first state title and the third under Head Coach Jon Wheeler, the Skyhawks finished the season with an 11-2 record, losing only the first two games of the season; and

Whereas, in a sport that exacts strength, expertise, and stamina, Coach Wheeler and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and experience to produce another championship team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the gridiron; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Hammond football players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their future success in the days to come.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Hammond School varsity football team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 4A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Joseph Lumpkin III, Head of Upper School, and to Coach Jon Wheeler.

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