A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Westside High SCHOOL varsity football TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Westside High football team of Anderson County captured the state title at the state competition held at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on the campus of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023; and

 

Whereas, to the roar of their exuberant fans, the Westside High Rams defeated a fine, competitive South Florence High School in a come-from-behind finish to claim the program's second state championship, the first since 1969, more than a half century in the making; and

 

Whereas, making their first appearance in the state championship finals since 1987, the Rams were behind by two scores in the fourth quarter but they bounced back to claim the state trophy with a 34-32 victory over the South Florence Bruins, the defending state champions who had won twenty-nine straight games; and

 

Whereas, the Rams maintained their composure although they needed two touchdowns to win in the fourth quarter.  Josh Williams who had fumbled away a kickoff return and had dropped a touchdown pass in the first half gave his teammates the first of the two needed scores when Cutter Woods threw a touchdown to him in a drive that had taken only 2:16 off the clock; and

 

Whereas, South Florence drained nearly seven minutes from the remaining time in the quarter without scoring, and the Bruins punted to Westside with only 2:44 left to play.  The Rams took only 2:29 to move the ball 78 yards.  Cutter Woods shot the game-winning pass to Jimmar Boston, who has committed to play for North Carolina in the fall; and

 

Whereas, after using so much time on an unproductive march earlier in the fourth quarter, the Bruins had only fifteen seconds left by the time Westside's lightning-strike offense had delivered two of what had been their typical, season-long drives to capture their much-anticipated state title; and

 

Whereas, Westside finished the season with a 14-1 record with an average of 58.2 points in its past five games and came close to scoring 70 points three times; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that exacts speed, stamina, and strength, first-year Head Coach Brian Lane and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and experience to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the gridiron; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Westside football players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to hearing of 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 Westside High School varsity football team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Kory Roberts and Coach Brian Lane.

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