[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 182 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE MARSHALL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY TCAL DIVISION II STATE 
                           FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2015

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, for more than twenty five years, Marshall 
Christian Academy has been providing Christian based education to 
students whose families desire them to have a solid foundation in 
academics and athletics, while developing excellence and Christ-
centered character. It is a great honor to recognize the Marshall 
Christian Academy Guardians on their most recent accomplishment, 
capturing the Texas Christian Athletic League Division II 6-man 
Football State Championship title.
   Marshall Christian Academy takes pride in working on the A, B, and 
Cs--attitude, behavior, and conduct, in both academics and athletics. 
The school website states, ``At Marshall Christian Academy, we play 
Six-Man Football to work in the character of Christ to our young men. 
God has blessed us with the opportunity to play the great game of 
football. Six-Man is an effective tool for developing young men in 
discipleship and training them in the game of life--how to play a game, 
how to be tough and how to represent Jesus Christ on and off the 
field.''
   The team fought and overcame a number of obstacles before claiming 
the state title, proving once again they are champions in every sense 
of the word. Their season was riddled with lengthy travel, inclement 
weather, illnesses, and a devastating car accident which seriously 
injured two team members and claimed the life of a family member. But 
through it all, the Guardians relied on the power of prayer to 
persevere and emerge triumphant, resulting in a season culminating in 
their first ever state football championship with a 36-28 win over 
Annapolis Christian Academy.
   The Marshall Christian Academy Guardians achieving this landmark 
accomplishment include David Florence, Stephan Florence, William Hency, 
Ryan Stokell, Aslan Bell, Andrew Stokell, Dylan Alford, Hunter Cagle, 
Dazmond Lewis, Noah Heredia, Caleb Beesinger and Matthew Stokell.
   Congratulations should be extended to the dedicated faculty and 
staff members who so skillfully created the solid foundation of 
direction and motivation necessary to build a team of champions: 
Marshall Christian Academy Administrators Raymond Bade, Duane Schultz 
and Guy Barr III, along with the Guardians' athletic staff comprised of 
Head Coach Guy Barr III, along with Assistant Coaches Jeff Arrington, 
Tyrone Robinson and Robert Stokell.
   May God continue to bless their efforts so they may one day dedicate 
their drive and determination to help make this great country even 
stronger. My most enthusiastic and heartfelt congratulations to the 
Marshall Christian Academy Guardians, as their legacy is now recorded 
in the Congressional Record which will endure as long as there is a 
United States of America.

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