[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF THE ODESSA FOOTBALL TEAM

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Missouri 
Class 3 State Championship won by the Odessa High School football team. 
Such an achievement is the result of strong leadership and continued 
dedication by both players and coaches alike. It is truly an honor to 
recognize this exemplary group of athletes from Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District.
  For the first time in a quarter of a century and only the second time 
in school history, Odessa High School earned the state championship 
title in a 49-28 win over Cassville High School at the University of 
Missouri's Faurot Field on Saturday, December 7, 2019. This victory was 
the culmination of their unwavering perseverance and excellence on and 
off the field.
  Building upon their undefeated record and averaging 55 points per 
game, the Bulldogs entered the championship game eager and focused. The 
Bulldogs took the lead, 6-0, in the first twelve seconds after Senior 
Bryley Ray's 93-yard kickoff return. Capitalizing on their early 
advantage, Odessa covered 80-yards in six plays on its third drive of 
the game. Not giving into Odessa's pressure, Cassville brought the 
score at the end of the first quarter to 14-7. In the second quarter, 
quarterback, Josey Meirerend and Ray led Odessa to a 21-7 lead before 
Ethan Uhrlaub's 1-yard score made it 28-7. Leaving nothing to chance, 
junior Brett Duncan's 27-yard post pattern completed a five-play, 52-
yard drive, sending the Bulldogs into halftime with a 35-14 advantage. 
But the Bulldogs never became complacent and continued to push 
themselves.
  Going into the second half of the game, Odessa remained singularly 
focused on their goal of becoming state champs. Carter Westerhold 
caught an 18-yard pass for a score to complete their first drive of the 
half while Luke Malizzi led the way on the second to provide the final 
margin of victory. In a true display of unity and willpower, the Odessa 
Bulldogs defeated the Cassville Wildcats 49-28.
  This momentous accomplishment was achieved not by individuals, but as 
a united group of young men with guidance from a devoted group of 
coaches: Mark Thomas, head coach; Barry Blank, assistant head coach; 
Jeremy Helton, defensive coordinator; Chuck Clemens, special teams 
coordinator; Kiefer Kratz, JV head coach; and Miles Hoshard, JV 
offensive coordinator. The accolades of Odessa's football team and 
coaching staff are a testament to what they have built through their 
hard work and collaboration.
  It is my honor to congratulate each member of the team that have 
helped Odessa High School to claim this prestigious title. I encourage 
each player to continue challenging themselves to always give their 
best on and off the field.
  Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District in celebrating the Missouri Class 3 State Championship victory 
of the Odessa Bulldogs, and I encourage all of us to unite together 
under the same spirit of perseverance, collaboration, and hard work 
that led this remarkable team to their first state championship win in 
over twenty-five years.

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