2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25107358D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 740

Offered February 17, 2025

Commending the All-State First Team selections on the Oscar Smith High School football team.

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Patron—Hayes

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WHEREAS, in 2024, the Oscar Smith High School football team finished the season with a perfect 17–0 record and won the Virginia High School League Class 6 state championship; and

WHEREAS, during the 2024 season, the Oscar Smith Tigers earned their 20th Southeastern District championship title, their 12th 6A Region championship title, and their fifth state title in program history; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of their incredible achievements on both sides of the ball, seven members of the Oscar Smith Tigers were named to the Virginia High School League Class 6 All-State First Team: Lonnie Andrews, Brandon Nesbit, Dory Wilson, Travis Johnson, Jordan Rayner, Jahmari DeLoatch, and Malachi White; and

WHEREAS, as quarterback, Lonnie Andrews led the Tigers to their third undefeated season in Oscar Smith High School history and their fifth overall state title by putting up impressive stats throughout the season, going 172 of 289 for 2,740 yards and 29 touchdowns; despite only being a sophomore, he has numerous Division I scholarship offers and has already started his off-season training in hopes of winning back-to-back state championship titles in 2025; and

WHEREAS, senior running back Brandon Nesbit has been a workhorse for the offense, rushing for 1,555 yards on 225 carries and a whopping 27 touchdowns; his productivity (seven yards per carry average) combined with his toughness and durability were critical for the Oscar Smith Tigers; and

WHEREAS, junior Dory Wilson was the recognized leader of a young Oscar Smith Tigers' offensive line, recording a praiseworthy 20 pancake blocks and giving up just two sacks in 15 total games; his leadership and production were instrumental to the victorious season; and

WHEREAS, Travis Johnson is a rare four-star junior recruit at wide receiver who, despite missing the better part of three games with injury and constantly being double-teamed, managed to put up impressive numbers with a combination of 53 receptions and six carries for a total of 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns; his production was instrumental in the Oscar Smith Tigers' offense scoring 583 total points for a 39 points-per-game average, and he has more than 40 college scholarship offers from elite institutions across the country; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rayner is a multi-year defensive starter and had 47 total tackles with 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and one forced fumble during his senior season; as a leader of the stingy Oscar Smith Tigers' defense, he was instrumental in the team only giving up 95 total points all season for an average of 6.3 points-per-game, and he will be continuing his education and football career at Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, Jahmari DeLoatch is a multi-year starting safety on the Oscar Smith Tigers' defense; during his senior year, he had 51 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, three sacks, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), five pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries, two field goal blocks, and 400 total return yards on special teams with four punt returns for touchdowns; he was also selected as an Army All-American and will be continuing his education and football career on a scholarship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and

WHEREAS, as a junior linebacker, Malachi White was the leading tackler for the Oscar Smith Tigers with an eye-popping 105 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and two pass break-ups; he was a crucial member of a defense that gave up only 95 points in 15 games and was recognized as one of the best defensive units in the Commonwealth in 2024; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Lonnie Andrews, Brandon Nesbit, Dory Wilson, Travis Johnson, Jordan Rayner, Jahmari DeLoatch, and Malachi White, the All-State First Team selections on the Oscar Smith High School football team; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the All-State First Team selections on the Oscar Smith High School football team as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for their athletic achievements and best wishes for the future.