[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE WASKOM HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS, 2014 3-A, DIV II STATE 
                           FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2015

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to recognize today the 
outstanding season of the Waskom Wildcats football team, who completed 
the season by capturing the title of 2014 Class 3A Division II Texas 
State Champions for the first time in the entirety of Waskom's history.
  The championship series proved difficult for the Wildcats, but it was 
not a difficulty that these skilled and devoted athletes could not 
overcome. In the State semi-final game, the Wildcats trailed the Sonora 
Broncos until the third quarter, when their defense held the Broncos 
back while their offense prevailed with a final score of 25-21 to win 
the game and usher them into the state championship title game.
  After the scoreless first quarter of the state title game, the 
tenacious Waskom Wildcats scored their first touchdown to take the lead 
over the Newton Eagles, but the Eagles battled back to take an 8-7 
lead. In an amazing show of resilience and ability, just fifteen 
seconds later, the Wildcats ran the ball 88 yards to score a touchdown 
and take the lead once again. From that play on, the Wildcats only 
increased their lead. Scoring six touchdowns and running 350 total 
yards of offense, the Wildcats ended an extraordinary and victorious 
game with a final score of 41-22.
  The Wildcats are a perfect representation of what can be accomplished 
when a team possesses both perseverance and resolve with proper 
guidance from the coaching staff. Although the Wildcats suffered a loss 
during the first game of their season, their determination remained 
steadfast, and they recovered to end the season with a stellar record 
of 13-2.
  The exceptional athletes who comprise this team of champions are 
Kevin Johnson, Keileon Johnson, Trace Carter, Jaire Jackson, Junebug 
Johnson, Kaleb Haynes, Eric Stephens III, Pedro Rodriguez, Lucas 
Norton, Cullum Ditmore, Dylan Harkrider, Jake Gillard, Chan Amie, Mike 
Reason, Kyle Kyker, Dillon Benton, Michael Jaeger, Kyle McInnis, Hernan 
Rico, Victor Tapia, John Lumpkin, Tony Ratcliff, Morgan Browning, Jose 
Chavarria, Kyle Adams, Brandon Latham, Logan O'Connor, Christian Smith, 
Jack Smith, Dylan Powell, Jeremy D'Agostino, Hunter Johnson, Jacob 
Bennett, Dylan Hudson, Matt Norris, Bradley Cochran, Ty Carter, Jason 
Jinks, Tay Green, Vicente Segura, and Matt Padron.
  The athletic staff and faculty who led the Wildcats to victory must 
be congratulated, because no team, no matter how talented and committed 
can rise to the pinnacle of being State Champions without proper 
direction, correction, and motivation. Led by Head Coach & Athletic 
Director Whitney Keeling, the Coaching Staff includes Jeremy Kubiak, 
Greg Pearson, Daniel Swaim, Jeff Lyles, Gary Wilson, Vencent Lee, David 
Higginbotham, Matt Goode, and Lorenza Thomas; the Ball Boys include 
Paxton Keeling, Trent Higginbotham, Jalynn Washington, LaZavion Thomas, 
and Benito Sanchez. And, of course, if a school and school district is 
not committed to its athletic program and all the life lessons it 
provides, the team does not have the opportunity to excel. So thanks 
and congratulations go to the School Principal Andy Chilcoat and his 
staff, as well as Superintendent Jimmy E. Cox and all of his staff.
  It is with great pride that I join with the citizens of Waskom, as 
well as the entire First District of Texas, in congratulating the 
Waskom Wildcats on their first State Championship and their impressive 
season. This outstanding accomplishment is now preserved in the United 
States Congressional Record which will endure as long as there is a 
United States of America.

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