SR33: Commending the Louisa County High School football team.
WHEREAS, the Louisa County High School football team of Mineral won the Virginia High School League Class 4A state semifinal on December 2, 2017, advancing to its first state championship game in over a decade; and
WHEREAS, relying on a stingy defense and a high-powered running and passing game, the Louisa County High School Lions ended the year with a stellar 14–1 record and had an average margin of victory of over 27 points; prior to the state semifinal, the team clinched both the district and region titles; and
WHEREAS, in the state semifinal contest, the Louisa County Lions defeated the Lafayette High School Rams 20–13 to reach the championship game; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County Lions dominated the first half of the state semifinal and secured a 17–0 lead; quarterback Malik Bell threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Turner, kicker Thomas Henley nailed a 27-yard field goal, and running back Raquan Jones charged his way to a three-yard rushing touchdown; and
WHEREAS, the Lafayette Rams rallied to score 13 points in the third quarter, but their comeback was halted by the Louisa County Lions’ stout defense; the Lions’ Devin Jackson-McGhee and Brandon Smith each recorded two sacks in the game, and Smith racked up a team high 11 tackles; Malik Bell, who also played defense, sealed the victory by making an interception with less than two minutes left in the game; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County Lions’ state semifinal win was particularly meaningful for retiring head coach Mark Lee Fischer, who achieved victory in his final home game after 12 years with the team; he was later named the district coach of the year; and
WHEREAS, nine Louisa County Lions players made the 2017 all-district squad, and defensive lineman Tony Thurston and linebacker Brandon Smith were named to the All-USA Virginia team by the website USA Today High School Sports; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County High School football team’s state semifinal win is a tribute to the skill and dedication of its talented student-athletes, the excellent guidance of its coaches and staff, and the enthusiastic support of family members, fans, and the entire Louisa County High School community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Louisa County High School football team hereby be commended on winning the Virginia High School League Class 4A state semifinal; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mark Lee Fischer, head coach of the Louisa County High School football team, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for the team’s spectacular season.
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 33
WHEREAS, the Louisa County High School football team of Mineral won the Virginia High School League Class 4A state semifinal on December 2, 2017, advancing to its first state championship game in over a decade; and
WHEREAS, relying on a stingy defense and a high-powered running and passing game, the Louisa County High School Lions ended the year with a stellar 14 - 1 record and had an average margin of victory of over 27 points; prior to the state semifinal, the team clinched both the district and region titles; and
WHEREAS, in the state semifinal contest, the Louisa County Lions defeated the Lafayette High School Rams 20 - 13 to reach the championship game; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County Lions dominated the first half of the state semifinal and secured a 17 - 0 lead; quarterback Malik Bell threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Turner, kicker Thomas Henley nailed a 27-yard field goal, and running back Raquan Jones charged his way to a three-yard rushing touchdown; and
WHEREAS, the Lafayette Rams rallied to score 13 points in the third quarter, but their comeback was halted by the Louisa County Lions’ stout defense; the Lions’ Devin Jackson-McGhee and Brandon Smith each recorded two sacks in the game, and Smith racked up a team-high 11 tackles; Malik Bell, who also played defense, sealed the victory by making an interception with less than two minutes left in the game; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County Lions’ state semifinal win was particularly meaningful for retiring head coach Mark Fischer, who achieved victory in his final home game after 12 years with the team; he was later named the district coach of the year; and
WHEREAS, nine Louisa County Lions players made the 2017 all-district squad, and defensive lineman Tony Thurston and linebacker Brandon Smith were named to the All-USA Virginia team by the website USA Today High School Sports; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa County High School football team’s state semifinal win is a tribute to the skill and dedication of its talented student-athletes, the excellent guidance of its coaches and staff, and the enthusiastic support of family members, fans, and the entire Louisa County High School community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Louisa County High School football team hereby be commended on winning the Virginia High School League Class 4A state semifinal; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mark Fischer, head coach of the Louisa County High School football team, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for the team’s spectacular season.