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H. R. No. 80 *HR26/R2652* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Calvert
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 80
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LAMAR SCHOOL 1
"RAIDERS" BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH RUSTY WARDEN UPON 2
WINNING THE 2025-2026 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT 3
SCHOOLS CLASS 4A DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the Lamar School "Raiders" Boys Soccer Team achieved 5
a remarkable season culminating in a decisive 4-1 victory over 6
Heritage Academy in the 2025-2026 Mississippi Association of 7
Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 4A Division II State Championship 8
at Madison-Ridgeland Academy in Madison, Mississippi; and 9
WHEREAS, the Raiders demonstrated exceptional determination, 10
teamwork and athletic excellence throughout the championship 11
contest, striking early when Logan Cross delivered a well-placed 12
ball upfield to Blake Harris, who maneuvered skillfully past a 13
defender and delivered the game's opening goal to give Lamar a 1-0 14
advantage in the first half; and 15
WHEREAS, continuing their offensive momentum, Harris later 16
advanced the ball to Austin Wichman, who capitalized on a 17
one-on-one opportunity against the Heritage goalkeeper to score 18
H. R. No. 80 *HR26/R2652* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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Lamar's second goal and extend the Raiders' lead to 2-0 before 19
halftime; and 20
WHEREAS, after Heritage Academy narrowed the score to 2-1 21
before the break, the Raiders returned to the field determined to 22
secure the title, and Wichman once again demonstrated his 23
offensive prowess early in the second half by drawing out the 24
goalkeeper and placing a well-executed shot into the back of the 25
net to widen Lamar's lead; and 26
WHEREAS, with the championship firmly within reach and time 27
winding down, senior Benson Oates delivered the final blow by 28
converting a penalty kick with precision to give the Raiders their 29
fourth goal of the match and seal the commanding 4-1 victory; and 30
WHEREAS, the championship victory represents the culmination 31
of years of dedication and perseverance by the Lamar program, 32
particularly for a senior class that remained committed through 33
seasons of adversity before achieving the ultimate goal of a state 34
championship; and 35
WHEREAS, the Raiders have been superbly guided by Head Coach 36
Rusty Warden, whose leadership, mentorship and commitment to the 37
growth of his players both as athletes and as young men has been 38
instrumental in the team's development and championship success; 39
and 40
WHEREAS, the 2025-2026 Lamar School Raiders Boys Soccer Team 41
roster includes: Gavin Aull, Luke Morrow, Benson Oates, Logan 42
Cross, Emmanuel Donkor, Carter Hill, Briggs Calvert, Wesley Cosby, 43
H. R. No. 80 *HR26/R2652* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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Weston Cox, Will Duncan, Matthew Hall, Blaise Hannington, Blake 44
Harris, Wyatt Purdy, Landon Smith, Alex Turnipseed, Abram Warden, 45
Austin Wichman, Joseph Donkor, Holt Haarala, Mason Hill, Winn 46
Leigh, Maddox Mims, Joe Morrow, Max Myers, Jackson Spitzkeit, 47
Christopher Hall, Hayes Lisi, Jax Confait, Anderson Honeycutt, 48
Clarke Newlin, Lucas Purdy, John Quedado, Jase Shedd and Arshdeep 49
Singh; and 50
WHEREAS, the success of the Raiders is also a reflection of 51
the leadership and support provided by the Lamar School 52
administration and athletics program, including Head of School 53
Leigh Ann Ballou, Athletic Director Matt Boone and Athletic 54
Trainer Alan Tingle, whose commitment to excellence in athletics 55
and academics continues to inspire student-athletes to reach their 56
highest potential; and 57
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 58
recognize and commend exceptional student-athletes whose 59
dedication, discipline and teamwork bring honor to their schools, 60
their communities and the State of Mississippi: 61
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 62
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 63
commend and congratulate the Lamar School "Raiders" Boys Soccer 64
Team and Head Coach Rusty Warden upon winning the 2025-2026 MAIS 65
Class 4A Division II State Championship, and extend best wishes 66
for continued success in all their future athletic and academic 67
endeavors. 68
H. R. No. 80 *HR26/R2652* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Lamar School "Raiders" Boys Soccer Team;
commend and congratulate on winning 2025-2026
MAIS Class 4A Division II State Championship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 69
furnished to Head Coach Rusty Warden on behalf of the Lamar School 70
"Raiders" Boys Soccer Team, Head of School Leigh Ann Ballou, 71
Athletic Director Matt Boone, and to the members of the Capitol 72
Press Corps. 73