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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Bringing an unforgettable season to a triumphant |
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close, the Carthage High School football team captured the 2013 |
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University Interscholastic League 3A Division 1 state championship |
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on December 20, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; and |
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WHEREAS, Matching up against Kilgore High School in the title |
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game, the Bulldogs opened up an 18-point advantage in the third |
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quarter before a furious comeback from their opponent cut the |
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deficit to five with just over three minutes remaining in the game; |
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the Carthage players remained cool under pressure, however, and |
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secured the title by recovering Kilgore's subsequent onside kick |
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attempt and then driving for a final touchdown by running back Tevin |
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Pipkin to close out the 34-23 victory; and |
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WHEREAS, The offensive Most Valuable Player award went to the |
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Bulldogs' senior quarterback Blake Bogenschutz, who passed for 185 |
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yards and two touchdowns; senior lineman Mario McCain took home |
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defensive MVP honors after contributing several key plays, |
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including a fumble recovery and a crucial tackle for a loss that |
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ended a scoring threat for Kilgore in the first half; the win in the |
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championship contest capped a year in which the team compiled an |
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overall record of 15 wins and 1 loss, went undefeated in district |
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play, and dominated several postseason opponents; and |
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WHEREAS, This marked the fourth state football title for |
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Carthage High in the past six years, with the school last claiming |
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the crown in 2010; each of these championships came under the able |
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leadership of head coach Scott Surratt, whose focus on motivation |
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and preparation has enabled his players to realize their full |
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athletic potential; and |
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WHEREAS, With their remarkable performance during 2013, the |
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Carthage Bulldogs have furthered their school's tradition of |
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gridiron excellence, and they will treasure the memory of this |
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accomplishment for many years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Carthage High School football |
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team on winning the 2013 UIL 3A Division 1 state championship and |
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extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best |
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wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |