A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WINSTON ACADEMY PATRIOTS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH PAT BYRD UPON WINNING THE 2025 MID-SOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (MAIS) CLASS 2A DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Summary
House Resolution 117 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the Winston Academy Patriots football team and Head Coach Pat Byrd for winning the 2025 Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 2A Division II State Championship. The resolution highlights the team’s 20-0 shutout victory over Oak Hill Academy, its seventh state football title, and its first championship in 25 years. It also emphasizes the team’s turnaround from a 0-5 start to a successful postseason run, crediting resilience, discipline, conditioning, and teamwork.
The resolution specifically recognizes several players and the coaching staff for their contributions during the season and championship game, and it notes that the team’s success restored a championship tradition at Winston Academy. As adopted, the resolution directs that copies be provided to the school headmaster, Coach Byrd, and the Capitol Press Corps. It does not create or amend any substantive law, impose requirements, or appropriate funds; it is a formal expression of legislative commendation.
Impact
HR117 has no direct impact on Mississippi statutes, regulations, or public programs. It is a nonbinding House resolution that serves only to recognize and congratulate a private school athletic team and its coach for a state championship, without changing state law or affecting legal rights or obligations of any person or entity.
Sentiment
The sentiment around the resolution is uniformly positive and celebratory. The bill text praises the team’s perseverance, discipline, and achievement, and there is no recorded committee debate, vote opposition, or controversy in the provided context. The resolution reflects the House’s customary support for honoring notable student-athlete accomplishments.
Contention
There are no notable points of contention in the provided materials. No committee transcripts, recorded votes, or amendments are included, and the resolution is purely commemorative. Any discussion would likely center only on the appropriateness of legislative recognition for a private-school athletic championship, but no opposition or disagreement is documented here.