[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 17 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNION CITY TORNADOES

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2010

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Union City High 
School football team on its first-ever state championship in the 2009 
Class 1A Blue Cross Blue Shield Bowl held in December. The Tornadoes 
beat the four-time state champions, the South Pittsburg Pirates, by a 
score of 31-29.
  The Purple and Gold were down the entire game, until Keylon Hyde 
intercepted the ball in the third quarter, which started a 67-yard 
drive that put the Tornadoes ahead 28-21.
  Following a touchdown by South Pittsburg in the fourth quarter, Union 
City was down 28-29 with 3:25 left to play. Union City struck back with 
a 68 yard 12-play drive which set up a field goal opportunity for the 
Tornadoes' kicker, Jorge Guerris. Guerris scored a 22-yard field goal 
with only two seconds left in the game and clinched the championship 
title for the team.
  The Tornadoes have done exceptionally well with a final record of 12-
2. The state championship win marked the team's ninth straight victory 
of the season. This win was also the first time a rural West Tennessee 
public school had won the Class 1A championship in 20 years.
  I would like to specifically applaud Coach Darren Bowling for leading 
this exceptional team and fullback Josh Nicks for setting a state 
championship game record of 47 carries and for being the offensive MVP 
of the game.
  As an alumnus of Union City High School, I am proud of the 
accomplishments the Tornadoes have made this year, and I look forward 
to rooting on the Purple and Gold next season.

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