H.R. No. 20
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The DeSoto High School football team reached the
pinnacle of success by winning the 2022 University Interscholastic
League 6A Division 2 state championship; and
WHEREAS, After claiming the district title in the regular
season, DeSoto embarked on a dominant playoff run, defeating
Pflugerville Weiss, Rockwall Heath, Tomball, and Killeen Harker
Heights High Schools to reach the semifinals; there, the Eagles
dispatched Denton Guyer 47-28 to punch their ticket to the state
final; and
WHEREAS, DeSoto battled for the crown against Austin
Vandegrift High School on December 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington;
after a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles scored three touchdowns
to take a lead into halftime; Vandegrift cut the lead to 21-17 in
the third quarter, but the Eagles roared back with three more
touchdowns and held their opponents scoreless for the remainder of
the game to triumph by the final score of 42-17; in capturing the
program's second championship, DeSoto became just the fifth school
to win state titles in spring 7-on-7 and fall 11-man football in the
same year; and
WHEREAS, Offensive Most Valuable Player Deondrae Riden Jr.
ran for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns in the title contest, and
Defensive MVP Jason Douglas tallied 5.5 tackles and 2 sacks; over
the course of the team's unforgettable season, the Eagles also
received valuable contributions from the other members of the
roster: Steven Clerkley, Johntay Cook II, Caimon Mathis, Jaden
Milliner-Jones, Tre Wisner, Crimson Mathis, Jamarion Ravenell,
Jaden Trawick, Kristoff Fantroy, Keshaun Jackson, DeMichael
Porter, Jaxson Davis, Cedric Harden Jr., Brian Hollins, Darius
Bailey, Marcellis Titus, Je'Shan McCoy, Armirie Williams-Hall,
Daylon Singleton, Mario Buford, Makali McKellar, Kevin Jamerson,
Akeem Rahsaan, Jai Trawick, Canden Mathis, Bryson Jones, Ja'Shaun
Wofford, Brandon Booker, Marvin Duffey, Davon Newman, Jamari Laye,
Wenston Blair, Aundre Wisner, Devon Jackson, Jeffrey Anders, Wesley
Hudson, Antron White, Marshall Kirven, Keylan Abrams, Robert Holt,
Jaylin Jones, Devon Hawkins-Cain, Kayden McGuire, Cortez Reagor,
Elijah Garner, Ryan White, David Williams, Caleb Williams, Joel
Rowlett, Leon Brigham, Maddox Contreas, Mark Duffey, Jerbralon
Stewart, Darien Lurks, Derrick Morris, Dylan Johnson, Xavier
Atkins, Ronnell McLain, Byron Washington, Vincent Williams,
Kendrick Frazier, Michael Head, Angel Diaz, Tristan Bailey, Justus
Bibles, Blake Echols, Eldren Lavan, Cedamion Burnett, Dahlyn Jones,
Caleb Owens, Jirus Guy Jr., Camrien Washington, Brock Wilkins,
Kameron Credit, Ja'Den Randle, Micah Murray, Jordan Geiger, and
Alex Hubbard-Robinson; and
WHEREAS, The Eagles were ably guided by head coach and
athletic director Claude Mathis, defensive coordinators Kyle Coats
and Aaron Babino, offensive coordinators Sean Van de Merghel and
Charles Williams, and assistant coaches Paul Beattie, Colton Bowen,
Rodney Chadwick, William Bryant, LaMarcus Franklin, Kerry Sweeny,
Donald Miller, Barrett Matthews, Dennis Walker, Hunter McEachern,
Warren Seay, Isaac Sandoval, Brian Russell, LeRon George, Joe
Benjamin, Joshua Pryor, Lamontra Frazier, Corey Tucker, and Joseph
Loyd Jr.; they further benefited from the support of principal
Jasen Campbell and superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers as well as
athletic trainers David Young, Daniel Dopson, Trevon Jones, and
Tessa McElroy, and student trainers Victoria Brooks, Zaiya Brown,
Ciara Cohen, Darnesha Butler, Diamond Davis, Ta'nilah Cox, Jordan
Edwards, Jadyn Culton, Trinity Gardner, Kyra Davis, Jaya Jackson,
Jeremy Denson, Torriun Lawrence, Mykenzie Ford, KaReyniti Samples,
Jordan Frazier, Ireland Sanchez, Aurhiyona Hawkins, Onnyx
Sandoval, Alahna Johnigan, Dylan Sutter, Parker Johnson, Deja
Garner-Todd, Julian Mitchell, Louis Vazquez, Dmya Scott, Mikyrian
Wallace, and Olivia Williams; and
WHEREAS, The members of the DeSoto High School football team
demonstrated admirable skill and determination in winning the state
championship, and memories of this exemplary accomplishment will
resonate with their fellow students and their many supporters in
the local community for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the DeSoto High School football
team on winning the 2022 UIL 6A Division 2 state championship and
extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Davis
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 20 was adopted by the House on March
8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House