HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The La Marque High School Cougars have successfully 1-2 defended their Class 4A Division II State Football Championship 1-3 title by defeating the Denison High School Yellow Jackets, and this 1-4 accomplishment is truly deserving of special praise and 1-5 recognition; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Nearly 7,000 Cougar faithful made the trip to Texas 1-7 Stadium on December 21, 1996, to witness La Marque's rout of 1-8 challenger Denison High School in a rematch of last year's 1-9 championship game; the impressive 34-3 victory makes the Cougars 1-10 just the seventh team to win back-to-back Class 4A titles; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The opening drive set the tone for the game, as 1-12 Cougar quarterback Roderick Johnson connected with Jonnathon Cooper 1-13 on a 53-yard touchdown pass; La Marque's second touchdown came on a 1-14 one-yard run by Mr. Johnson, and the Cougars' tough defense, led by 1-15 two-time 4A defensive player of the year Roylin Bradley, 1-16 continually stifled Denison, allowing a lone field goal in the 1-17 first half; and 1-18 WHEREAS, La Marque was on top 12-3 at the half, and after a 1-19 scoreless third quarter, the Cougars came alive with three 1-20 fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the Yellow Jackets' fate; Dwayne 1-21 Goynes' 17-yard touchdown run was followed by a 25-yard touchdown 1-22 pass from Patrick Gilbert to Jonnathon Cooper, and the scoring was 1-23 capped off with David Smith's 7-yard scamper for the final 1-24 touchdown of the game; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Head Coach Alan Weddell's highly effective teaching 2-2 and motivational skills have been largely responsible for La 2-3 Marque's appearances in the last four championship games, and he 2-4 has helped to establish the Cougars as a legitimate high school 2-5 football dynasty; his emphasis on football fundamentals and the 2-6 importance of remaining focused have created a winning attitude 2-7 among the players, and their determination was apparent from the 2-8 game's outset; and 2-9 WHEREAS, This exemplary group of young men, as well as their 2-10 coaches and staff, has been a tremendous source of pride for the 2-11 students and faculty of La Marque High School and their many 2-12 supporters in the community, and it is a privilege to honor them on 2-13 the occasion of their latest achievement; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-15 hereby congratulate Head Coach Alan Weddell and the La Marque High 2-16 School Cougars on capturing the 1996 Class 4A Division II State 2-17 Football Championship; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for the team and coaching staff as an expression of high 2-20 regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Eiland _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 27 was adopted by the House on February 5, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 27 was adopted by the Senate on March 24, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor