A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Recognizing the Howard Tigers as the 2024 Class 9A football state champions.

WHEREAS, the Howard Tigers entered the 2024 football season hungry for a state title, and despite losing several key performing seniors, coach Pat Ruml led the Tigers through the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record, qualifying for the number two seed; and

WHEREAS, the Howard Tigers defeated fifteenth seeded Timber Lake 60-6 in the first round of the state tournament and advanced to the semi-finals by defeating seventh seeded Ipswich by a score of 54-0; and

WHEREAS, the Howard Tigers advanced to the state finals by defeating the previously unbeaten Warner Monarchs 40-13; and

WHEREAS, the Howard Tigers defeated Wolsey-Wessington 38-30 in the championship game at the Dakota Dome, and ended the season with a perfect 12-0 record;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundredth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Howard Tigers are the 2024 State 9A football champions.