SJ271: Commending the Blacksburg High School football team.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 271
Commending the Blacksburg High School football team.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 12, 2017
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 20, 2017
 

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg High School football team overcame a 2–4 start to the season to win the 2016 Virginia State High School League Group 3A state championship, giving the school its first state title since 1989; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg High School Bruins defeated the Staunton River High School Golden Eagles of Moneta by a score of 28–20 in the state title game played December 10, 2016, at The College of William and Mary’s Zable Stadium in Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, in the first half, the Blacksburg Bruins’ offense sputtered against the hard-hitting and opportunistic Staunton River Golden Eagles’ defense, and Staunton River High School led 14–7 at halftime; and

WHEREAS, an electrifying pitch and catch from Blacksburg Bruins’ quarterback Grant Johnston to sophomore wide receiver Tiquest Terry in the third quarter resulted in a 58-yard touchdown that tied the score at 14, changing the course of the game; and

WHEREAS, in the fourth quarter, the Blacksburg Bruins built a two-touchdown lead on a pair of rushing touchdowns by Cole Beck and the team’s defense held up late in the fourth quarter to seal the championship win; and

WHEREAS, Tiquest Terry led the Blacksburg Bruins with four catches for 116 yards and quarterback Grant Johnston went seven for 15 for 166 yards and two scores; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins, considered one of the most improved teams in the state, started the season 2–4 but finished with a record of 10–5; and

WHEREAS, the title game was the fifth straight postseason victory for the 10th-seeded Blacksburg Bruins, who opened the playoffs with a record of 5–5 and won all five of their postseason games away from home; and

WHEREAS, all members of the Blacksburg High School football team contributed to the amazing undefeated post-season run and state championship victory by staying extremely focused and working hard to improve their reads and skills; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins’ great coaching staff is led by Head Coach Thad Wells, who took the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons and won the state title in just his second season as head coach by implementing a new scheme that focused on speed and power; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins’ state football championship was made possible by the support of the entire Blacksburg community and the dedicated fans who traveled near and far to cheer on the underdog team during the playoffs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Blacksburg High School football team on their outstanding 2016 playoff run and Virginia High School League Group 3A state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thad Wells, coach of the Blacksburg High School football team, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the team’s dedication, hard work, and belief they could win what seemed like an improbable victory.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 271

Offered January 11, 2017
Prefiled January 6, 2017
Commending the Blacksburg High School football team.
Patron-- Edwards

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg High School football team overcame a 2 - 4 start to the season to win the 2016 Virginia State High School League Group 3A state championship, giving the school its first state title since 1989; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg High School Bruins defeated the Staunton River High School Golden Eagles of Moneta by a score of 28 - 20 in the state title game played December 10, 2016, at the College of William and Mary’s Zable Stadium in Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, in the first half the Blacksburg Bruins’ offense sputtered against the hard-hitting and opportunistic Staunton River Golden Eagles’ defense, and Staunton River High School led 14 - 7 at halftime; and

WHEREAS, an electrifying pitch and catch from Blacksburg Bruins quarterback Grant Johnston to sophomore wide receiver Tiquest Terry in the third quarter resulted in a 58-yard touchdown that tied the score at 14, changing the course of the game; and

WHEREAS, in the fourth quarter the Blacksburg Bruins built a two-touchdown lead on a pair of rushing touchdowns by Cole Beck and the team’s defense held up late in the fourth quarter to seal the championship win; and

WHEREAS, Tiquest Terry led the Blacksburg Bruins with four catches for 116 yards and quarterback Grant Johnston went seven for 15 for 166 yards and two scores; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins, considered one of the most improved teams in the state, started the season 2 - 4 but finished with a record of 10 - 5; and

WHEREAS, the title game was the fifth straight postseason victory for the 10th-seeded Blacksburg Bruins, who opened the playoffs with a record of 5 - 5 and won all five of their postseason games away from home; and

WHEREAS, all members of the Blacksburg High School football team contributed to the amazing undefeated post-season run and state championship victory by staying extremely focused and working hard to improve their reads and skills; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins’ great coaching staff is led by Head Coach Thad Wells, who took the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons and won the state title in just his second season as head coach by implementing a new scheme that focused on speed and power; and

WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Bruins’ state football championship was made possible by the support of the entire Blacksburg community and the dedicated fans who traveled near and far to cheer on the underdog team during the playoffs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Blacksburg High School football team on their outstanding 2016 playoff run and Virginia High School League Group 3A state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thad Wells, coach of the Blacksburg High School football team, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the team’s dedication, hard work, and belief they could win what seemed like an improbable victory.