A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HAMMOND SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A STELLAR SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 4a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Hammond football team of Richland County captured the state title at the state competition held at Charleston Southern University in North Charleston on Friday, November 18, 2022; and

Whereas, the Hammond Skyhawk's victory was no surprise to their delighted fans when they decimated Laurence Manning 52-0, the school's sixth back-to-back state football championship, the first in the new 4A division, and the program's twentieth title in fifty years; and

Whereas, on September 9, Laurence Manning lost to Hammond 37-6, the only touchdown allowed by Hammond's first team defense against SCISA opponents all season. The Skyhawks finished their season with a 11-2 record with a ten-game winning streak at the end. This game was the fourth time in the season that the Skyhawks had scored more than fifty points in a game; and

Whereas, twenty-two seconds into the game, the Skyhawks scored on their first offensive play of the game when Jayson Roberts ran a 57-yard touchdown on a reverse. Hammond receiver Omari Bennett scored on a jet sweep, running back Aidan Canzater had a touchdown run in the first half, and Dylan Richardson added a field goal to make the halftime score 24-0; and

Whereas, Hammond's defense forced five turnovers, including two interceptions by Rucker Brannon who returned one for a touchdown to post a 38-0 score late in the third quarter; and

Whereas, Hammond sophomore Immanuel Johnson led the Skyhawks with 120-yards rushing and a touchdown. Aidan Canzater finished with 64-yards rushing and two touchdowns. Omari Bennett had six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Dylan Richardson completed 7 of 12 passing for 99 yards and two scores, and he rushed for 49 yards; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands force, proficiency, and fortitude, Head Coach Jon Wheeler and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and experience to produce a championship team and teach these athletes life principals that will endure beyond the gridiron; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the pride and recognition that the Hammond players have brought to their school, and the members look forward to following their continued accomplishments in the days to come. 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 Hammond School varsity football team, coaches, and school officials for a stellar season and congratulate them for winning the 2022 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 4A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph Lumpkin III, Head of Upper School, and to Coach Jon Wheeler.

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