WHEREAS, the Galax High School football team finished an impressive 2015 season by winning the Virginia High School League Group 1A state championship; and

WHEREAS, the Galax High School Maroon Tide defeated a talented team from Riverheads High School 7 - 6 to claim the state title at the championship game, which was played on December 12, 2015, at Salem Stadium; and

WHEREAS, the 2015 trophy was the first state football championship for the talented team from Galax High School in Southwest Virginia; the hardworking young men had an 11 - 4 record for the season; and

WHEREAS, Charles Harris, a running back for the Galax High School Maroon Tide, rushed for 181 yards during the game; he scored the team's only touchdown—the game-winner—on the opening drive of the game; and

WHEREAS, during the championship game, Charles Harris carried the ball 28 times for Galax High School; he finished the 2015 season with 3,236 yards, which is the second best single-season record in the history of the Virginia High School League; and

WHEREAS, the defense for Galax High School was strong throughout the entire game, holding the Riverheads football team scoreless until the game was practically over; the Riverheads Gladiators scored a touchdown as time expired, but did not succeed with a 2-point conversion attempt; and

WHEREAS, the Galax High School Maroon Tide were guided throughout the season by head coach Mark Dixon and his capable staff; the team also received strong support from their families, friends, fellow students, faculty and staff, and the entire Galax community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Galax High School football team for winning the 2015 Virginia High School League Group 1A state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mark Dixon, head coach of the Galax High School football team, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for the team's outstanding season and stellar accomplishment.