[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E85-E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE WASKOM HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS, 2015 3-A, DIV II TEXAS STATE 
                           FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 
today the great accomplishment of the Waskom Wildcats football team, a 
team which--for the second year in a row--has captured the title of 
Class 3A Division II Texas State Football Champions.
   The Wildcats' winning season culminated with their thirty-first 
consecutive win, a stellar streak they began during their 2014 
championship season. Waskom ended this 2015 season undefeated with a 
perfect 16-0 record.
   The Waskom Wildcats were eager for a rematch with the only team to 
beat them in the prior season, and began their run to the title by 
toppling a talented team from Center with a 34-22 victory. Equally 
satisfying victories followed, as the Wildcats pounced on teams from 
all over east Texas in their quest to secure a spot in the 
championship.
   The state championship game found the Waskom Wildcats in a tangle 
with the Franklin Lions. The Wildcats rallied from an early deficit to 
take the lead at halftime, then a drive to a second consecutive state 
championship with a decisive 33-21 final score.
   The life lessons learned about teamwork and discipline will no doubt 
improve every participant in immeasurable ways.
   My heartfelt congratulations are extended to Athletic Director and 
Head Football Coach Whitney Keeling and his staff including Coaches 
Jeremy Kubiak, Greg Pearson, Gary Wilson, Jeff Lyles, Vencent Lee, 
David Higginbotham, Matt Goode, Justin Watson, Frank Crisp, Joe 
Williams, and Lorenza Thomas; also, Managers Isaac Irving, Cameron

[[Page E86]]

Williamson, Trey Jones, Zach Grubbs, Taylor Minatrea, Lamontre 
Stephens, and Athletic Trainer Matt Dyson.
   The players themselves who prepared diligently enduring through 
strains, pains, and grueling practices and emerged again as champions 
included Tramaine Butler, Keileon Johnson, Tay Green, Jaire Jackson, 
Pedro Rodriguez, Keylon Johnson, Kaleb Haynes, Eric Stephens III, Kevy 
Luster, Lucas Norton, Logan Hughes, Dylan Harkrider, Jason Jinks, Chan 
Amie, Latavius Stephens, TK Hamilton, Mike Reason, Jacob Reeves, Tramel 
Butler, Chris Pacheco, Kyle Mcinnis, Chris Stafford, Victor Tapia, 
Bryan Holland, Vicente Segura, Dalton Adams, Brighton Harris, Morgan 
Browning, Bradley Cochran, Dylan Powell, Logan O'Connor, Christian 
Smith, Xzavian Russell, Jack Smith, Josh Mauldin, Ashton Thulen, Jacob 
Bennett, Rowdy Martin, Cody Kyker, Kevin Sanford, Raymond Ramirez, 
Jacob Norris, Ty Carter, Hunter Johnson, Jay Reeves, Josh Cole, and 
K.T. Ceaser.
   A team and its coaches cannot soar to the heights of champions 
without the encouragement and full support of the school itself 
starting at the top with Superintendent Jimmy E. Cox and Principal 
Kassie Watson, to whom a debt of gratitude is also owed. Additional 
laudatory acclaim and gratitude must also go to the entire city of 
Waskom which once again revealed itself to be a tight knit community of 
undying support for the champion Wildcats.
   May God continue to bless these young people, their families, 
friends and all those who refer to Waskom as their home. It is a 
tremendous honor to congratulate the 2015 State Champion Waskom 
Wildcats, as their legacy is now preserved in the United States 
Congressional Record which will endure as long as there is a United 
States of America.

                          ____________________