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H. R. No. 117 *HR43/R1572.3* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Hood
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 117
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WINSTON 1
ACADEMY PATRIOTS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH PAT BYRD UPON 2
WINNING THE 2025 MID-SOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 3
(MAIS) CLASS 2A DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the Winston Academy Patriots Football Team 5
demonstrated extraordinary resilience, discipline and 6
determination by winning the 2025 Mid-South Association of 7
Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 2A Division II State Championship 8
with a commanding 20-0 shutout victory over Oak Hill Academy on 9
Saturday, November 22, 2025, in Clinton, Mississippi; and 10
WHEREAS, this championship marks the seventh state football 11
title in Winston Academy history and represents the program's 12
first state championship in 25 years, completing a remarkable 13
turnaround and restoring championship tradition to Patriot Field; 14
and 15
WHEREAS, the Patriots' championship season stands as a 16
testament to perseverance, as the team overcame early-season 17
adversity, including injuries, inexperience and a 0-5 start, 18
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before rallying to win five of its final eight games and earn the 19
right to compete for a state title; and 20
WHEREAS, Winston Academy delivered a dominant defensive 21
performance in the championship contest, holding Oak Hill Academy 22
scoreless while limiting the Raiders to just 129 total yards of 23
offense, forcing key turnovers and recording three sacks by Eli 24
Goforth, Owen Woodward and Graison McDill; and 25
WHEREAS, standout senior, Jonah Hood, was the lead rusher 26
during the regular season for the Patriots with 495 yards, rushed 27
for 14 yards in the championship game and recorded five tackles on 28
defense with one defensive tackle for a loss; and 29
WHEREAS, other impressive senior stars on the team, Owen 30
Woodward and Eli Goforth also recorded five tackles each on 31
defense during the championship game which were pivotal moves in 32
bringing home the coveted title; and 33
WHEREAS, notable seniors, Ben Caperton and Rhett Hatcher also 34
distinguished themselves by contributing to the offense and 35
defense of the Patriots during the entire season, and especially 36
the championship game; and 37
WHEREAS, senior leader, Beau Boatner anchored the Patriots' 38
championship effort with an outstanding two-way performance, 39
rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while also 40
recording nine tackles on defense, exemplifying leadership, 41
toughness and commitment throughout the season; and 42
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WHEREAS, quarterback Jayson McMillin guided the Patriots' 43
offense with poise and efficiency, accounting for two touchdowns, 44
including a nine-yard scoring pass to King Ashford and a 45
three-yard rushing touchdown, while finishing his final game with 46
239 total yards of team offense; and 47
WHEREAS, the team's success throughout the season would not 48
have been possible without the tireless dedication of the talented 49
student-athletes who comprised the Winston Academy Patriots team: 50
Colton Mills, Paxton Greer, James Haven Joiner, Jayson McMillin, 51
Beau Boatner, Kingsley Ashford, Trip Hill, Trenton Rhodes, Rett 52
Hatcher, Tanner Lee, Ben Caperton, Eli Goforth, Pervis Holmes, 53
Jonah Hood, Owen Hood, Kipton Edwards, Tyler Fortenberry, Beaux 54
Blanton, Easton Jordan, KJ Fulton, Johnson Wyckoff, Carson Pham, 55
Levi Prisock, Madden Snow, Matt Dempsey, Hayden McDill, Hayden 56
Blanton, Graison McDill, Cole Caperton, Landon Clark, Owen 57
Woodward and Jesse Wilson; and 58
WHEREAS, this team has thrived under the leadership of Head 59
Coach Pat Byrd, who spent eight years rebuilding the program's 60
foundation and culture. The Patriots embraced discipline, 61
conditioning and accountability, proving that sustained commitment 62
and character development are essential ingredients of 63
championship success; and 64
WHEREAS, Coach Byrd credited the team's conditioning, unity 65
and belief in one another as decisive factors in the second-half 66
surge that secured the championship, noting that the Patriots 67
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ST: Winston Academy Patriots Football Team;
commend and congratulate on winning the 2025
MAIS Class 2A Division II State Championship.
imposed their will through preparation, endurance and collective 68
resolve; and 69
WHEREAS, the 2025 Winston Academy Patriots Football Team's 70
achievement stands as a powerful example of resilience, 71
determination and teamwork, inspiring student-athletes across 72
Mississippi and reaffirming that perseverance in the face of 73
adversity yields a lasting reward; and 74
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 75
recognize and commend outstanding achievements by student-athletes 76
whose accomplishments bring honor to their schools, communities 77
and the State of Mississippi: 78
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 79
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 80
commend and congratulate the Winston Academy Patriots Football 81
Team and Head Coach Pat Byrd upon winning the 2025 MAIS Class 2A 82
Division II State Championship and upon completing a historic and 83
inspirational season marked by resilience, discipline and 84
excellence. 85
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 86
furnished to Winston Academy Headmaster, Head Coach Pat Byrd on 87
behalf of the Patriots Football Team and to the members of the 88
Capitol Press Corps. 89