[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE LAKELAND DREADNAUGHTS AS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ``NULLI 
                               SECUNDUS''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to applaud the accomplishments of the Lakeland High School Varsity 
Football team from Lakeland, Florida--the 2005 Class 5A Florida State 
Champions and the 2005 National Champions.
  Coach Bill Castle, 2004 5A Coach of the Year and recent inductee of 
the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, led the Dreadnaught's to their 5th 
State Championship, 17th District Championship, and 1st National 
Championship. The Dreadnaughts defeated Ft. Lauderdale's St. Thomas 
Aquinas, 39-19, ending their season at 15-0, in a rematch of last years 
title for the Class 5A State Championship. This is the first time a 
Polk County football team has won back-to-back State titles, and the 
first time that two top-five nationally ranked teams have met this late 
in the season.
  I would like to extend my congratulations to Coach Castle and his 
staff, Dan Talbot, Dan Moonet, Frank Webster, Chris Davis, Clay Taylor, 
Jason Butler, Michael Peeples, Denny Krahe, and Brian Abdon, for the 
positive example they set and for the leadership they provide. In 
addition, Principal Mark Thomas and his administration, Athletic 
Director Sid Kimbrell, the faculty and staff, the parents, the 
students, the alumni and the fans should all be commended for their 
community spirit and constant support.
  Most importantly, however, I would like to recognize those 
outstanding student athletes, who exemplified the hard work, character, 
and sportsmanship, to make this victory possible: Matt Grier, Scott 
Bryant, Chris Rainey, Rashard Coleman, Andre Walker, Pat Turner, Deonte 
Parker, T.K. Lamb, Ledarius Dobie, Darius Jones, Tyler Grantham, Billy 
Lowe, Awtan Glover, Jordan Hammond, Jesse Smart, Paul Wilson, Adam 
Williams, Blair Castle, Leon Covington, Steve Wilks, Cedric Edom, 
Preston Chatmon, Ahmad Black, Jamar Taylor, Troy Johnson, Calvin Shaw, 
Derrell Harrison, Connor Johnson, Tony McElrath, Aaron Walters, Devon 
Terry, Justin Burdette, Bryant Peace, Matt Roddenbery, Nic Moody, Colin 
Clyne, Quinten Campell, Mike Jensen, Michael Horton, David Liason, Ben 
Wilcox, Jensen Harris, Justin Calabrese, James Campbell, John Brown, 
Eagar Lewis. The Dreadnaughts prove that academic excellence, intensive 
training and a lot of heart, will lead a team to victory. The school's 
motto is ``Nulli Secundus,'' which means ``Second to None.'' I know 
that I speak for every member in offering congratulations and the best 
of luck to the Lakeland Dreadnaughts, who officially are ``second to 
none'' in the Nation.

                          ____________________