Bill Text: VA HJR249 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Maury High School football team.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ249ER) [HJR249 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR249-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Maury High School football team of Norfolk, led by head coach Dyrri McCain, capped off an incredible undefeated season with a triumphant victory in the Virginia High School League Class 5 state championship on December 9, 2023; and
WHEREAS, on the road to the state tournament, the Maury High School Commodores went 7–0 in the Eastern Region, outscoring their regional opponents by 516 to 27, including five shutout victories and three wins by 80 or more points; and
WHEREAS, ranked number 83 nationally by MaxPreps, the Maury Commodores also achieved remarkable victories over the nationally ranked Highland Springs High School and the defending Class 4 state champion, Dinwiddie High School to reach their third consecutive state final; and
WHEREAS, in the state final, held at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, the Maury Commodores defeated the Stone Bridge High School Bulldogs by a score of 45–34 to finish the season with a flawless 15–0 record; and
WHEREAS, this monumental win signifies the resilience and fortitude of the Maury Commodores, securing their second state championship in five years and contributing to the school's storied history with a total of seven state championships, five of which were earned between the 1920s and 1930s; and
WHEREAS, the Maury Commodores' previous state championship victory in 2019 carried significant weight, marking the end of an 80-year championship drought, and the 2023 triumph also holds special significance, highlighting the team's ability to overcome unique challenges, particularly for the seniors who demonstrated exceptional perseverance in navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrating a remarkable recovery from consecutive state championship losses; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 season showcased the dominance of the Maury Commodores against top-ranked opponents, boasting a 5–0 record against teams ranked in the top 10 in the Commonwealth, including one nationally ranked team; the defense showcased an outstanding performance with seven shutouts in 15 games overall, while the offense led the state in points per game with an impressive 57.6 average; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the Maury Commodores ranked third in the country for total points scored, tallying 864 points throughout the season; this historic achievement helped the 2023 Maury Commodores become the first team in the history of Maury High School's football program to be nationally ranked; and
WHEREAS, with a remarkable record of 72–13, including two undefeated 15–0 seasons, four state championship appearances, and two state championship titles, the Maury Commodores have established a legacy of excellence over the past seven years; and
WHEREAS, the achievements of the Maury Commodores extend beyond the football field, with the team boasting a 100 percent graduation rate, 52 honor graduates, 29 Division I student-athletes, five All-Americans, four Virginia Players of the Year, and two Tidewater Players of the Year; and
WHEREAS, notable former members of the Maury Commodores continue to excel at esteemed universities across the nation, including Clemson University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Wisconsin, Duke University, Old Dominion University, Coastal Carolina University, the University of Buffalo, The College of William & Mary, Virginia Military Institute, Norfolk State University, and others; and
WHEREAS, the Maury Commodores demonstrated unparalleled skill, strategy, persistence, teamwork, and passion throughout the season, restoring the school's historic reputation as a state champion; and
WHEREAS, in achieving this well-deserved state championship, the Maury Commodores represented the City of Norfolk with distinction, earning the admiration of their opponents and bringing honor and recognition to themselves and to the Norfolk community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Maury High School football team on winning the Virginia High School League Class 5 state championship; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dyrri McCain, head coach of the Maury High School football team, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the team's achievements and best wishes for the future.
