By Eiland                                       H.C.R. No. 27

      75R3410 JHS-D                           

                             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.