[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E19-E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE TAFT UNION HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS VARSITY FOOTBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
student athletes and coaches of the Taft Union High School Wildcats 
varsity football team on winning the 2007 California Interscholastic 
Federation Central Section Division IV championship, also known as the 
Valley Championship.
  On Friday, November 30, 2007, the Wildcats defeated Corcoran High 
School 28-14 in their last game of the season to win the championship. 
This was a truly outstanding achievement to cap an outstanding season, 
a season where the Wildcats finished with a record of 12-1. The Wildcat 
victory marked the first football Valley Championship for Taft since 
1930. Taft Union High School football fans, students and the Taft 
community were treated to an exciting championship game where in the 
fourth quarter with a tied score, the Wildcats' skill, training, hard 
work, and athleticism paid off and led them to an emotional two 
touchdown victory.
  I want to extend my congratulations to the Taft Union High School 
Wildcats student athletes for their impressive championship win and 
2007 season. The 2007 roster included Donald Baggs II, Derek Barnes, 
David Barraza, Dalton Botts, Chad Cruz, Wes Elland, Blake Emberson, 
Lyndon Faagau, Jose Flores, Jeremy Gonzales, Sergio Gonzales, Tommy 
Halphin, James Hiracheta, Tyler Houghton, Austin Kindred, Loren Kolb, 
Joe Laulu, Andrew LeClair, Konelio Maino, Dylan Niblett, Matther Nixon, 
Jeremy Orr, Christian Ramirez, Kurtis Rawls, Blaine Reich, Jerry Romo, 
Ricardo Romo, Ben Savali, Ioane Savail, Fabian Scheifele, Shane Sefo, 
Cody Shirreffs, Jesse Simmons, Steven Spoonemore, Jesse Tafoya, Fabian 
Taute, Kyle Taylor, Jeremiah Twisselman, Joel Vermillion, Tommy 
Williams, Aaron Wroblewski, Stewart Bandy, Avesee Faagau, Adalberto 
Figueroa, Eric Foch, Shaquil Gant, Mike Hagstrom, Kacey Kaszyckl, 
Hunter Liljeroos, Mike Newkirk, Todd Parker, Felipe Pulldo, Cody 
Reaves, Andrew Smith, Freddy Tuuamalemalo, Jordan Vermillion, and 
Braxton Walters.
  I also want to congratulate the coaching staff who helped lead the 
team to its championship season. The Wildcat head coach is Steve 
Sprague and his coaching team includes Russell Emberson, Arley Hill, 
Rick Woodson, Shawn Cummins, Rob Cleveland, Paul Martinez, Brian 
Durkan, Bryan Powell, Dee Griffith, Mike Goodwin, John Wagner, and 
Jeremy Letterman.
  Participation in athletics is a wonderful component of a high school 
education because it provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork 
and competition. The months of physical and mental training and the 
teamwork that was required to win this Valley Championship will benefit 
these young men long after their high school graduation.
  On behalf of the residents of the 22nd Congressional District, I once 
again commend the Taft Union High School Wildcats on winning the 2007 
Valley Championship. I am very proud of the accomplishments of the 2007

[[Page E20]]

Wildcats football team, and I know the parents, teachers, neighbors and 
fans in our community will remember this season for many years to come.

                          ____________________