[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 27] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 36478-36479] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL ON THEIR 2007 5A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ______ HON. JO BONNER of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with tremendous pride and personal pleasure that I rise today to honor St. Paul's Episcopal School on their 2007 5A Alabama State Football Championship. In 1947, William S. Mann founded St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. St. Paul's began with a class of 20 kindergartners and has grown to an enrollment of more than 1,600 students, making St. Paul's the largest Episcopal school in North America. While perhaps best known for their outstanding faculty and top-notch college- preparatory curriculum, St. Paul's is also fast becoming acknowledged around the State for having one of the best athletic programs as well. In fact, just last year St. Paul's was recognized by the Birmingham News as having the best overall sports program in the entire State of Alabama. First-year head coach Mike Bates led the 14-1 Saints to his school's first-ever football State championship. Even though St. Paul's has a rich and proud history of winning championship trophies in many other sports, this most recent honor on the gridiron brings the number of State championships won by St. Paul's teams to three this year. Madam Speaker, these three championships mark the school's 134th, 135th, and 136th respectively in St. Paul's storied history. Indeed, the St. Paul's Saints proved they are a team of champions in their victory on December 7, 2007, at Legion Field in Birmingham as they defeated Briarwood Christian in a thrilling 14-13 victory. The entire St. Paul's family is excited and proud of what these young men have accomplished. Whether on or off the field, the student athletes of St. Paul's continue to set positive examples for those who will follow them. Many of the young men who played on this year's team will become stars in their own right in college and perhaps, one day, in the pros. However, make no mistake, they are all champions in the game of life. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Paul's Episcopal School on their extraordinary football season and State championship. This team and the entire school deserve public recognition for this tremendous accomplishment. I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff: St. Paul's Roster Name, Grade, and Jersey Number Strickler Adams, 12th, 17; Glen Adams, 9th, 19; Tyler Andrews, 10th, 46; Mark Barron, 12th, 4; Deige Barry, 12th, 33; Ryne Baxter, 12th, 68; Matt Bowden, 11th, 31; Mic Brown, 12th, 75; Angelo Bruno, 11th, 42; and Scott Byrd, 12th, 50. Alan Carrol, 10th, 51; Davis Coker, 10th, 18; Joe Cotton, 11th, 58; Scott Crow, 11th, 81; Daniels Duhe, 11th, 21; Adam Dyas, 10th, 25; Chad Dyas, 11th, 40; Paul Elcan, 12th, 67; Dominic Francia, 11th, 11; and Gaines Gibson, 12th, 15. Joe Gilmore, 11th, 56; Brett Granger, 12th, 29; Carson Hale, 11th, 16; Destin Hood, 12th, 1; Zain Husain, 12th, 3; Trevor Jones, 12th, 74; Tyler Kennedy, 12th, 63; Zach King, 10th, 62; Josh Lancaster, 12th, 54; and Scott Martin, 12th, 14. Ivan Matchett, 12th, 5; AJ McCarron, 11th, 10; Corey McCarron, 9th, 43; Andrew McGee, 10th, 30; Clint McKinnon, 12th, 83; Bill McRae, 12th, 35; Andrew Miller, 12th, 8; Joseph Minus, 11th, 64; Williams Morrissette, 12th, 24; and Bishop Mostellar, 10th, 37. Harrison Myles, 12th, 22; Patrick Myles, 10th, 20; Hunter Nelson, 11th, 44; Dulan Nicholas, 10th, 55; William Oneal, 12th, 28; Luke [[Page 36479]] Phillips, 12th, 23; Marcus Porter, 11th, 53; Marcus Powell, 10th, 41; Thomas Praytor, 12th, 72; and Gray Rentz, 12th, 26. Matt Rippy, 11th, 9; Grant Rogers, 12th, 12; Mason Thames, 10th, 78; Mike Thomas, 11th, 52; Walton Thompson, 11th, 61; David Turner, 10th, 80; Louis Watson, 12th, 2; Lee Wingard, 10th, 60; Billy Wyatt, 12th, 65; John Wyatt, 10th, 27; and Ryan Zarzour, 12th, 6. Coaching Staff Head Coach: Mike Bates. Assistant Coaches: Muskingum Barnes, Ron Danley, Tim Hardigree, Tyler Siskey, Thomas Smith, and Shane Sullivan. ____________________