HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 199 Offered January 9, 2008 Commending the Monticello High School football team. ---------- Patron-- Toscano ----------

WHEREAS, the Monticello High School football team capped a near-perfect season by winning its first Virginia High School League Group AA state championship on December 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Monticello High School Mustangs, 12 - 1, defeated the defending state champions, the Richlands High School Blue Tornadoes, to clinch the state title; and

WHEREAS, the Monticello High School football team led the championship game 36 - 6, but the Tornadoes fought back and scored twice in the fourth quarter, bringing the game within reach; and

WHEREAS, the Mustangs’ outstanding “Blackout Defense,” determined not to let the game slip away, recovered a fumble with three minutes left to play in the game, thereby sealing the 36 - 22 victory; and

WHEREAS, all of the dedicated Mustang players worked hard in an outstanding team effort both in the regular season and the postseason, defeating excellent high school teams along the way, to win their well-deserved state title and the first state championship for any Albemarle County football team; and

WHEREAS, the triumphant performance of the 2007 Mustangs is a tribute to the talent, commitment, and perseverance of the players; the leadership of Head Coach Brud Bicknell and his staff; and the support of the parents, students, and faculty of Monticello High School; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Mustangs from Monticello High School on their outstanding 2007 season and Group AA state title; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Brud Bicknell as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the championship performance of the Monticello High School football team.