[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 96]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE ROBINSON RAMS STATE FOOTBALL TITLE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
James W. Robinson Rams' football team, which cruised to its second 
state football title in five years on December 8, 2001, with a 
resounding victory in the Virginia AAA Division 6 championship game. 
The Robinson Rams capped off a dominating 12-1 season with a thrilling 
40-7 victory over Thomas Dale High School last weekend before 10,000 
fans at the University of Richmond Stadium.
  The win not only added to the school's impressive resume--one that 
includes a 19-10 all-time playoff record--but also further established 
the Northern Region's stranglehold on Division 6 football in the 
Commonwealth. A team from the region has taken the title 8 of the last 
9 years. Robinson defeated last year's state champs, Centreville High 
School, in the Northern Region final.
  While the state title was the result of a true team effort, the Rams 
were led by senior Michael Imoh and junior Adam Fassnacht, who were 
named offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, by 
Northern Virginia's Journal newspapers. Imoh finished his high school 
career as Robinson's all-time rushing and scoring leader, running for 
205 yards and four touchdowns in the championship game and 2,077 yards 
and 28 scores for the season. He also hauled in nine receptions for 196 
yards and three touchdowns.
  Fassnacht recorded 120 tackles and a team-high 12 sacks in the team's 
13 games. He and his unyielding defensive teammates held Thomas Dale to 
149 total yards and 6 first downs in the title game. They also forced 6 
interceptions, tying a record set by 1991 Woodrow Wilson team. The Rams 
defense came up big in key moments to keep the game firmly in their 
favor. Quarterback Brian Gulley--who makes up for with heart and 
leadership what he lacks in size--threw for 2 touchdowns and rushed for 
another.
  ``All season long, this team has refused to give anything but their 
best, and this is the culmination,'' coach Mark Bendorf--50-10 in his 
five years heading the program--told a local reporter after the title 
game. ``This is the pinnacle of high school football. I'm so happy for 
this group because a lot of people doubted them. But this was a team of 
destiny.''
  Mr. Speaker, this team of young men, considered underdogs during 
their run through the regional and state playoffs, epitomized all that 
is good about high school athletics: perseverance, hard work, shared 
goals, and character. I am very proud to honor this group of dedicated 
players and their coaching staff, and I ask all of my colleagues to 
join me in sending them our congratulations on their significant 
accomplishment.

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