[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 544]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE TENAHA TIGERS FOR WINNING THE TEXAS 1A DIVISION II 
                         FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with enormous pride that I recognize 
and congratulate the Tenaha Tigers on an amazing 2011 football season 
in which they captured the Texas State Class 1A Division II Football 
Championship. These ferocious Tenaha Tigers have reached the pinnacle 
of success in Texas football for the second time in the last 15 years, 
having achieved that great title back in 1998.
   A series of victories in which the Tigers crushed their opponents 
led them into the playoffs, where they demonstrated just how powerful 
they were as a team, playing as one well-tuned machine. The final game 
saw the Tenaha Tigers ultimately defeat the Munday Moguls 52-28. 
Although both Munday and Tenaha showed why they were in the finals 
during the first half, the Tigers pulled ahead in the second half 
scoring 21 points with little response from the Moguls.
   The Tigers strong offensive and defensive lines dominated other 
teams exhibiting the result of grueling strength and endurance programs 
that showed how driven the Tigers were individually to excel. Clearly a 
team does not get to such a level of excellence without a coaching 
staff that knows its players, what they can accomplish and just how far 
they can be pushed.
   The proof of their preparation and drive to be the best can be found 
in a number of statistics including the fact that the Tigers 
consistently maintained a 37.6 point lead over their opponents. 
Additionally, the defensive line often refused to allow its opposition 
to score a single touchdown.
   There is no doubt that each of the individual players, coaches, and 
supporting personnel involved with the success of the Tigers will 
benefit from having witnessed the level of success that is achieved 
when each individual gives all they have while working together with 
such dedication and passion.
   This tribute goes out to all of the athletic staff including 
Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Terry Ward and his Assistant 
Coaches Ian White, Mike Barber, Kevin Cates, Scott Tyner, Todd Bodden 
and Antonio Holmes.
   The team members achieving this memorable accomplishment included 
T.J. Thomas, Reginald Davis, Demon Horton, Vincent Walton, Edgar 
Flores, Jacoby Ivy, Shaquille Mitchell, J.R. Hill, Octavius Griffith, 
Chavis Gregory, Keontas Davis, Damarcus Perry, Jaquarius Williams, Cobe 
Carraway, Seth Wyatt, Brady Tovar, Assuntay Cleaver, Jose Campos, 
Marqevius Reed, Alex Horton, JaKelvin Cooper, Izikel Flores, Damiem 
Reese, DeAaron Roland, Derek Jones, LaDarren Cooks, Edgar Pineda, Cody 
Richardson, Aaron Harris, Leon Aguilar, Donald Smith, Dustin Davis, and 
Tim Hafford.
   No football team ever becomes a champion without unwavering support, 
and that is exactly what the Tigers had from the Tenaha Independent 
School District staff and the entire community. That is why 
congratulations go to all who contributed in any way to the success of 
the Tigers in for the 2011 season. May God continue to bless all of 
their efforts both in school and as they one day finish high school and 
use that same drive and determination to make this country even 
stronger. Congratulations go to the State Champion Tenaha Tigers, as 
their legacy is now recorded in the Congressional Record that will 
endure as long as there is a United States of America.

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