A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Pee Dee Academy varsity football TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Pee Dee Academy football team of Marion County captured the state title at the state championship game held at West Florence High School on Saturday, November 19, 2022; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Pee Dee Golden Eagles took the gold medal in a nail-biting overtime 36-35 win over Florence Christian School to finish with a 12-1 record; and

Whereas, Pee Dee posted the first score of the game after pounding seven plays down the field that included a thirty-five yard pass from fourth-year senior quarterback Hudson Spivey to Colby Richardson. Florence Christian responded with a drive that tied the score in twelve plays. After a kick return to the thirty-five yard line, sophomore Miles Trussell caught a pass to score on a sixty-five yard run. The Florence Christian Eagles were there to compete, and put another touchdown on the scoreboard but were unable to complete the extra point, leaving the halftime score 14-13; and

Whereas, seven plays into the second half, the Eagles took their first lead of the game with another touchdown and no extra point. A thirty-one yard kickoff return and five plays gave Pee Dee a 20-19 lead, but Florence Christian could only respond with a field goal for a 22-20 lead. The Golden Eagles posted another touchdown after a forty-nine yard run by Coleby Sinclair, and completed two extra points for a 28-20 score. Florence Christian scored again without the extra point to tie the game at 28 with less than three minutes left to play. Pee Dee moved the ball, but a fumble sent the game into overtime; and

Whereas, the Eagles took the ball first in overtime and made a touchdown with the extra point for a 35-28 lead. When the Golden Eagles made a touchdown for 35-34, they decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win and Spivey walked it into the end zone as the offense opened the gap for him. The Golden Eagles were nothing short of golden; and

Whereas, the school's first football state championship in twenty-seven years was steeped in tradition, as it was completed by multiple players whose fathers had played on the championship teams of the 90s under the leadership of legendary coach Lon Spivey. It also marked the program's first eleven-man state title; and

Whereas, two members of the Golden Eagles championship squad will continue their careers on the college level, with running back Coleby Sinclair and offensive lineman Peyton Hardee signing to play for Newberry College; and

Whereas, in a sport that exacts strength, expertise, and stamina, Coach King and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the gridiron. The win truly is a tribute to the unmatched dedication and passion of Coach King over his twenty-seven distinguished years leading the Golden Eagles; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Pee Dee football players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Pee Dee Academy varsity football team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2022 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 3A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Tracy Holcombe, head of Pee Dee Academy, and to Coach Jonathan King.

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