MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representative Turner House Resolution 91 (As Adopted by House) A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BALDWYN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL GRAY FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS (MHSAA) 1A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, the Baldwyn High School Football Team reigned supreme over the Simmons High School Football Team to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State Championship at M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi on December 6, 2024; and WHEREAS, during each game in their rise to the top, the Baldwyn Bearcats' mental stamina and determination never waivered from the moment they ran onto the field until the last down was played, and they intensely amplified all of their hard work and motivation, which were so apparent throughout the entire season, for the championship game; and WHEREAS, the Bearcats, who had a 14-1 record going into the championship game, had a rough start, but the ending was one to remember, and behind a second half offensive surge along with a defense that forced four turnovers, the Bearcats rallied past Simmons 21-20 to bring the state championship trophy back to Baldwyn High School for the second time ever; and WHEREAS, while the Bearcats only had 12 yards of offense in the first half, the third quarter was dominated by Baldwyn, as they scored on their opening drive of the second half on a Terrell Robinson 1-yard touchdown run; and WHEREAS, after Simmons was forced to punt, Dy'Lan Johnson, who had 58 yards passing to lead Baldwyn, dove into the end zone from 1-yard out to give the Bearcats a 14-12 lead with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter, and then Ashton Grice extended the Baldwyn lead to 21-12 on a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:53 left in the third quarter; and WHEREAS, Simmons answered and returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion cut the Baldwyn lead to 21-20 with 2:39 left in the third quarter, and after Baldwyn turned the ball over on downs at the Simmons 8-yard line with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter, the Simmons Blue Devils drove to their own 44-yard line, but Colton Hayes intercepted a Buchanan pass at the Baldwyn 40-yard line with 45 seconds left to seal the win; and WHEREAS, as the old saying goes, "Defense wins championships", and that is exactly what happened during the championship game, as the Bearcat defense forced four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble, and held Simmons to just 151 yards of total offense, and linebacker Aiden Stewart was named the game's MVP with 11 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and an interception for the Bearcats; and WHEREAS, Head Coach Michael Gray has superbly coached and inspired the Bearcats and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Baldwyn High School Bearcats Football Team, who have brought honor to their school, the City of Baldwyn and to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Baldwyn High School Football Team and Head Coach Michael Gray for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 1A State Football Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Michael Gray and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Turner
# House Resolution 91
## (As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BALDWYN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL GRAY FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS (MHSAA) 1A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, the Baldwyn High School Football Team reigned supreme over the Simmons High School Football Team to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State Championship at M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi on December 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS, during each game in their rise to the top, the Baldwyn Bearcats' mental stamina and determination never waivered from the moment they ran onto the field until the last down was played, and they intensely amplified all of their hard work and motivation, which were so apparent throughout the entire season, for the championship game; and
WHEREAS, the Bearcats, who had a 14-1 record going into the championship game, had a rough start, but the ending was one to remember, and behind a second half offensive surge along with a defense that forced four turnovers, the Bearcats rallied past Simmons 21-20 to bring the state championship trophy back to Baldwyn High School for the second time ever; and
WHEREAS, while the Bearcats only had 12 yards of offense in the first half, the third quarter was dominated by Baldwyn, as they scored on their opening drive of the second half on a Terrell Robinson 1-yard touchdown run; and
WHEREAS, after Simmons was forced to punt, Dy'Lan Johnson, who had 58 yards passing to lead Baldwyn, dove into the end zone from 1-yard out to give the Bearcats a 14-12 lead with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter, and then Ashton Grice extended the Baldwyn lead to 21-12 on a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:53 left in the third quarter; and
WHEREAS, Simmons answered and returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion cut the Baldwyn lead to 21-20 with 2:39 left in the third quarter, and after Baldwyn turned the ball over on downs at the Simmons 8-yard line with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter, the Simmons Blue Devils drove to their own 44-yard line, but Colton Hayes intercepted a Buchanan pass at the Baldwyn 40-yard line with 45 seconds left to seal the win; and
WHEREAS, as the old saying goes, "Defense wins championships", and that is exactly what happened during the championship game, as the Bearcat defense forced four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble, and held Simmons to just 151 yards of total offense, and linebacker Aiden Stewart was named the game's MVP with 11 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and an interception for the Bearcats; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Michael Gray has superbly coached and inspired the Bearcats and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Baldwyn High School Bearcats Football Team, who have brought honor to their school, the City of Baldwyn and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Baldwyn High School Football Team and Head Coach Michael Gray for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 1A State Football Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Michael Gray and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.