Recognizing and honoring the achievements of the 2013 Martin Luther King High School football team.

WHEREAS, Prior to the 2013 football season, the closure of Germantown High School mandated the transfer of most former Germantown students to Martin Luther King High School. The partial merger was nationally publicized, including both a lengthy New York Times article and a forthcoming documentary, and concerns arose about students from former rivals attending the same school; and

WHEREAS, The Martin Luther King High School football team lost its first two games of the 2013 season. Despite this adversity, the Cougars rallied to win their next ten games and advanced to the Philadelphia Public League Class AAA championship game on November 9, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Though the Cougars' opponents jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their opening drive, Cougars quarterback Joseph Walker hit a wide receiver with a 50-yard pass. Walker than ran 40 yards for a touchdown; and

WHEREAS, On their next drive, the Cougars' tight end Brendan Jackson hauled in a reception and was brought down at the one-yard line, setting up a touchdown run for running back Ishmael Dargan; and

WHEREAS, With additional touchdowns from Dargan and Walker, the Cougars took a 32-7 lead before halftime; and

WHEREAS, The Cougars won the Philadelphia Public League Class AAA championship for the first time in school history; and

WHEREAS, The Cougars, through their fifteen seniors, exhibited teamwork, commitment, and determination in leading the team to a championship season, and were complemented by an talented group of underclassmen who made significant contributions that resulted in the team's success; and

WHEREAS, Under the dedicated direction of Head Coach Ed Dunn and Principal William Wade, the Cougars, through their signature Purple and Gold colors, set a standard of achievement for themselves and for others to follow; and

WHEREAS, The pride that the 2013 Cougars exhibited by accepting the challenges presented by political circumstances beyond their control was evident throughout the season and they have insured an honored place in Philadelphia Public League football history through their season of great achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor the Martin Luther King High School Football Team for their outstanding achievements during the 2013 season.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Martin Luther King High School as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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