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 2024 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 title at the state competition held at Charleston Southern in North Charleston on Friday, November 22, 2024; and

 

Whereas, the Hammond Skyhawk's victory was no surprise to their delighted fans when they edged Porter-Gaud 28-21 in the closing minute of the game to claim yet another state championship, the Skyhawk's eighth consecutive state title. They have won sixteen state championships since 2006 and twenty-two overall. It is their fourth title under Head Coach Jon Wheeler; and

 

Whereas, Hammond dominated its opponents in an undefeated season, but it took Andrew Turner's twenty-three-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to future USC Gamecock commit, Mike Tyler, who made a diving catch in the end zone with forty-five seconds left to secure the championship; and

 

Whereas, Porter-Gaud had tied the game on Tony Brown's one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Cyclones thought they had taken the lead on Nolen Shuman's pass to J.J. Fludd following a Hammond fumble, but that play was nullified by a penalty; and

 

Whereas, Turner had three touchdown passes. Immanuel Johnson caught a touchdown pass and had a touchdown run. The Skyhawks took an initial 7-0 lead before Fludd busted loose on an eighty-four-yard touchdown run; and

 

Whereas, Fludd's second touchdown, a three-yard run, gave the Cyclones a 14-7 lead but Turner threw a twenty-three yard touchdown pass to Croft to even it up again; and

 

Whereas, the undefeated Skyhawks ended the season with a twenty-three game winning streak, that's a dynasty few can match; 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 principles 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 2024 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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