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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Ennis High School football team reached the |
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pinnacle of success by winning the University Interscholastic |
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League 5A Division 2 state championship on December 19, 2014, at |
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AT&T Stadium in Arlington; and |
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WHEREAS, Matching up against the squad from Cedar Park High |
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School in the state final, the Lions jumped out to an early lead in |
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the first quarter but found themselves trailing by four points at |
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halftime; the teams traded the lead back and forth in the third |
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quarter, but Cedar Park appeared to have the game in hand after |
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scoring late in the fourth quarter and then recovering a fumble on |
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the ensuing kickoff; the Ennis defense held strong, however, |
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stalling the Cedar Park drive and forcing a missed field goal; that |
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turned the ball back over to the offense with only 1:29 left to play |
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and 80 yards to go for the win; in a crucial third-and-long |
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situation, the Lions pulled off a surprising hook-and-ladder play |
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to gain a first down and advance into Cedar Park territory; on the |
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following play, quarterback Devin Smith threw a strike to wide |
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receiver Donta Thompson, who fought his way into the end zone to |
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clinch a dramatic 38-35 victory for Ennis High School; and |
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WHEREAS, The team's thrilling triumph in the title game |
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brought to a close a memorable season in which the Lions dropped |
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their first two contests before reeling off 14 consecutive wins; |
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moreover, the team claimed the school's fifth state football |
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championship, and its first since 2004; and |
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WHEREAS, Excelling with a true team effort, the Lions |
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received valuable contributions from each member of the roster in |
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their championship quest; these gifted student-athletes benefited |
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throughout the year from the guidance and expertise of head coach |
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Jack Alvarez and his staff as well as from the passionate support of |
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the Ennis community; and |
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WHEREAS, In becoming one of the select teams in the Lone Star |
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State to earn the mantle of state champion, the Ennis Lions have |
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furthered their school's tradition of excellence on the gridiron, |
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and this accomplishment is indeed worthy of special recognition; |
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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 Ennis High School football team |
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on winning the UIL 5A Division 2 state championship and extend to |
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the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for the |
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future; 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. |