A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE JEFFERSON DAVIS ACADEMY FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHES ON THEIR IMPRESSIVE WIN OF THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION 8-MAN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND TO SALUTE THEM ON A FABULOUS SEASON.

Whereas, the air on your face and the ground under your feet feel different when you reach the top of the mountain. The Jefferson Davis Academy (JDA) Raiders found that out on November 17, 2023, when they defeated Holly Hill 20-14 and seized the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) 8-Man State Championship title in football. In so doing, the JDA Raiders denied Holly Hill a fourth straight 8-man crown; and

Whereas, held at the Calhoun Academy field, the championship game handed the JDA players a newly minted triumph that enabled them to finish the season with an impressive 12-2 record; and

Whereas, with justifiable pride, JDA Head Coach Anthony Reitenour watched his Raiders raise their state title trophy high; and

Whereas, at the title game, senior quarterback Paxton Wall escaped the blitz on third down and 16 yards to go and turned it into a 65-yard touchdown run that lifted JDA to the big win; and

Whereas, after Wall scored on his 65-yard scramble for a touchdown, Holly Hill had two more chances to tie the game or take the lead. However, the JDA defense came up with two big stops inside its territory to preserve the win. After a sack by Nasir Void stopped the last Holly Hill drive, a kneel-down by Wall allowed the celebration to begin; and

Whereas, the members of the Jefferson Davis Academy football team have given their school and community reason to be proud of their accomplishments, and the House takes great pleasure in adding its collective voice to the encomiums flowing in to this outstanding group of young athletes. Go, Raiders! Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the Jefferson Davis Academy football team and coaches on their impressive win of the 2023 South Carolina Independent School Association 8-Man State Championship title and salute them on a fabulous season.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head of School Carla Jackson and Head Coach Anthony Reitenour of Jefferson Davis Academy.

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