H.R. No. 500
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, The Ennis High School football team reached the
  pinnacle of success by winning the University Interscholastic
  League 5A Division 2 state championship on December 19, 2014, at
  AT&T Stadium in Arlington; and
         WHEREAS, Matching up against the squad from Cedar Park High
  School in the state final, the Lions jumped out to an early lead in
  the first quarter but found themselves trailing by four points at
  halftime; the teams traded the lead back and forth in the third
  quarter, but Cedar Park appeared to have the game in hand after
  scoring late in the fourth quarter and then recovering a fumble on
  the ensuing kickoff; the Ennis defense held strong, however,
  stalling the Cedar Park drive and forcing a missed field goal; that
  turned the ball back over to the offense with only 1:29 left to play
  and 80 yards to go for the win; in a crucial third-and-long
  situation, the Lions pulled off a surprising hook-and-ladder play
  to gain a first down and advance into Cedar Park territory; on the
  following play, quarterback Devin Smith threw a strike to wide
  receiver Donta Thompson, who fought his way into the end zone to
  clinch a dramatic 38-35 victory for Ennis High School; and
         WHEREAS, The team's thrilling triumph in the title game
  brought to a close a memorable season in which the Lions dropped
  their first two contests before reeling off 14 consecutive wins;
  moreover, the team claimed the school's fifth state football
  championship, and its first since 2004; and
         WHEREAS, Excelling with a true team effort, the Lions
  received valuable contributions from each member of the roster in
  their championship quest; these gifted student-athletes benefited
  throughout the year from the guidance and expertise of head coach
  Jack Alvarez and his staff as well as from the passionate support of
  the Ennis community; and
         WHEREAS, In becoming one of the select teams in the Lone Star
  State to earn the mantle of state champion, the Ennis Lions have
  furthered their school's tradition of excellence on the gridiron,
  and this accomplishment is indeed worthy of special recognition;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Ennis High School football team
  on winning the UIL 5A Division 2 state championship and extend to
  the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for the
  future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.
 
  Wray
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 500 was adopted by the House on March
  12, 2015, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House