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S. R. No. 112 *SS08/R1645* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Taylor
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 112
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WINSTON 1
ACADEMY PATRIOTS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH PAT BYRD UPON 2
WINNING THE 2025 MAIS CLASS 2A DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 3
WHEREAS, the Winston Academy Patriots Football Team 4
demonstrated excellence by winning the 2025 MAIS Class 2A Division 5
II State Championship with a commanding 20-0 shutout victory over 6
Oak Hill Academy on November 22, 2025, in Clinton, Mississippi; 7
and 8
WHEREAS, this championship marks the seventh state football 9
title in Winston Academy history and represents the program's 10
first state championship in 25 years, completing a remarkable 11
turnaround and restoring championship tradition to Patriot Field; 12
and 13
WHEREAS, the Patriots' championship season stands as a 14
testament to perseverance, as the team overcame early season 15
adversity, including injuries, inexperience and a 0-5 start, 16
before rallying to win five of its final eight games and earn the 17
right to compete for a state title; and 18
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WHEREAS, Winston Academy delivered a dominant defensive 19
performance in the championship contest, holding Oak Hill Academy 20
scoreless while limiting the Raiders to just 129 total yards of 21
offense, forcing key turnovers and recording three sacks by Eli 22
Goforth, Owen Woodward and Graison McDill; and 23
WHEREAS, standout senior, Jonah Hood, was the lead rusher 24
during the regular season for the Patriots with 495 yards, rushed 25
for 14 yards in the championship game and recorded five tackles on 26
defense with one defensive tackle for a loss; and 27
WHEREAS, other impressive senior stars on the team, Owen 28
Woodward and Eli Goforth also recorded five tackles each on 29
defense during the championship game which were pivotal moves in 30
bringing home the coveted title; and 31
WHEREAS, notable seniors, Ben Caperton and Rhett Hatcher also 32
distinguished themselves by contributing to the offense and 33
defense of the Patriots during the entire season, and especially 34
the championship game; and 35
WHEREAS, senior leader, Beau Boatner anchored the Patriots' 36
championship effort with an outstanding two-way performance, 37
rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while also 38
recording nine tackles on defense, exemplifying leadership, 39
toughness and commitment throughout the season; and 40
WHEREAS, quarterback Jayson McMillin guided the Patriots' 41
offense with poise and efficiency, accounting for two touchdowns, 42
including a nine-yard scoring pass to King Ashford and a 43
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three-yard rushing touchdown, while finishing his final game with 44
239 total yards of team offense; and 45
WHEREAS, the team's success throughout the season would not 46
have been possible without the tireless dedication of the talented 47
student-athletes who comprised the Winston Academy Patriots team: 48
Colton Mills, Paxton Greer, James Haven Joiner, Jayson McMillin, 49
Beau Boatner, Kingsley Ashford, Trip Hill, Trenton Rhodes, Rhett 50
Hatcher, Tanner Lee, Ben Caperton, Eli Goforth, Pervis Holmes, 51
Jonah Hood, Owen Hood, Kipton Edwards, Tyler Fortenberry, Beaux 52
Blanton, Easton Jordan, KJ Fulton, Johnson Wyckoff, Carson Pham, 53
Levi Prisock, Madden Snow, Matt Dempsey, Hayden McDill, Hayden 54
Blanton, Graison McDill, Cole Caperton, Landon Clark, Owen 55
Woodward, Jesse Wilson, John Brady Stuart and Blaine 56
Vanlandingham; and 57
WHEREAS, this team has thrived under the leadership of Head 58
Coach Pat Byrd, who spent eight years rebuilding the program's 59
foundation and culture. The Patriots embraced discipline and 60
conditioning, proving that sustained commitment and character 61
development are essential ingredients of championship success; and 62
WHEREAS, Coach Byrd credited the team's conditioning, unity 63
and belief in one another as decisive factors in the second-half 64
surge that secured the championship, noting that the Patriots 65
imposed their will through preparation, endurance and collective 66
resolve; and 67
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ST: Winston Academy Patriots Football Team;
commend on winning the 2025 MAIS Class 2A
Division II State Championship.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and commend 68
outstanding achievements by these student-athletes whose 69
accomplishments bring honor to their schools, communities and the 70
State of Mississippi: 71
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 72
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 73
Winston Academy Patriots Football Team and Head Coach Pat Byrd 74
upon winning the 2025 MAIS Class 2A Division II State Championship 75
and upon completing a historic and inspirational season. 76
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 77
Winston Academy Head of School Michael Brown, Head Coach Pat Byrd 78
on behalf of the Patriots Football Team, forwarded to the Winston 79
Academy Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press 80
Corps. 81