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H. C. R. No. 48 *HR26/R2407* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Morgan, Byrd, Lott,
Pigott, Tubb
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 1
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2025 2
MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 4A 3
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the Columbia High School Wildcats Football Team, 5
representing Columbia High School in Marion County, Mississippi, 6
distinguished itself during the 2025 football season by capturing 7
the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 8
4A State Championship, earning statewide recognition for 9
excellence in interscholastic athletics; and 10
WHEREAS, the Wildcats concluded a remarkable postseason run 11
with a championship victory on December 5, 2025, at Davis Wade 12
Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, defeating Kosciusko High 13
School to secure the Class 4A state title, demonstrating 14
discipline, resilience, and competitive excellence on 15
Mississippi's largest high school football stage; and 16
WHEREAS, throughout the regular season and playoffs, the 17
Wildcats consistently displayed a balanced and dominant style of 18
play, combining a strong defensive presence with timely and 19
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effective offensive execution, as reflected in their decisive 20
victories during postseason competition; and 21
WHEREAS, the team's success was achieved through the 22
collective effort and commitment of its student-athletes, whose 23
hard work, sportsmanship, and perseverance exemplified the highest 24
ideals of Mississippi high school athletics; and 25
WHEREAS, the championship achievement of the Columbia High 26
School Wildcats Football Team was made possible through the 27
collective efforts of the following student-athletes, who 28
comprised the 2025 Class 4A State Championship roster: 29
Junior Curney, Tra Lewis, Christian Expose, Drew Bilderback, 30
Keelan Williamson, Savarion Gray, Ashton Daniels, Chris May, 31
Kavion Newson, BJ Lee, Tyrone Davis, Clyde Peters, Greyson Carney, 32
Tyron Averett, Jonathan Lowery, Hagi Cain, Ashton Thompson, Brydan 33
Webber, Larry Allen, Logan Johnson, Tyson Brown, Billy Fisher, JP 34
Haddox, Alex Bolton, Tay Nguyen, Jordyn Edwards, Ashton Franklin, 35
Jacob Harris, Terry Neal, Kaven Bridges, Amari Swarptue, Jadari 36
Jefferson, Lawal Owokunle, Grady Swann, Tyson Thompson, Earl Loyd, 37
Patrick Peters, Greg Laird, Achilles Pittman, Zentavious Sims, 38
Tanner Kilgore, Tristen Ballew, Jeremy Harper, Ike Broome, Camden 39
Fornea, Derick James, Mac Walley, Tobias Walker, Rico Crosby, 40
Kathan Neese and Brayden Thornhill; and 41
WHEREAS, the Wildcats were guided by the leadership of head 42
football coach, Chip Bilderback, along with associate head 43
football coach, Craig Cluff; defensive coordinator, Chris 44
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Fortenberry; assistant coaches, Eric Booth, Alex Davis, Kendrick 45
Hardy, Kevin Hurley, Garon Malone and Jaymie Palmer; athletic 46
trainer, Nicole Keys; team doctor, Dr. Bert Beisel; and team 47
managers Quinlan Williams, Jake Racadio, Damien Williams, Jakwon 48
Lewis, and Jamari Peters, whose combined leadership, preparation, 49
mentorship, medical support, daily commitment and emphasis on 50
accountability and teamwork were instrumental in leading the 51
program to a state championship season; and 52
WHEREAS, the 2025 Class 4A State Championship stands as a 53
source of pride for Columbia High School, the Columbia School 54
District, Marion County, and the broader South Mississippi 55
community, inspiring students, families, and supporters while 56
reinforcing the value of dedication and teamwork; and 57
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge 58
the crowning achievements of the Columbia High School Wildcats 59
Football Team, which reflects not only athletic excellence, but 60
also the commitment of educators, administrators, parents and 61
community members who support and invest in the development of 62
Mississippi's youth: 63
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 64
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 65
THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia 66
High School Wildcats Football Team for winning the 2025 67
Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State 68
Championship and for representing their school and community with 69
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ST: Columbia High School Wildcats Football
Team; commend and congratulate on winning 2025
MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
distinction and pride, and extend best wishes for continued 70
success in all their future academic and athletic endeavors. 71
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 72
furnished to the administration of Columbia High School, Head 73
Coach Chip Bilderback on behalf of the Wildcats Football Team and 74
to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 75