[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 328-329] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CONGRATULATING THE TAFT UNION HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM ______ HON. KEVIN McCARTHY of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the student athletes and coaches of the Taft Union High School Wildcats varsity football team on winning the 2007 California Interscholastic Federation Central Section Division IV championship, also known as the Valley Championship. On Friday, November 30, 2007, the Wildcats defeated Corcoran High School 28-14 in their last game of the season to win the championship. This was a truly outstanding achievement to cap an outstanding season, a season where the Wildcats finished with a record of 12-1. The Wildcat victory marked the first football Valley Championship for Taft since 1930. Taft Union High School football fans, students and the Taft community were treated to an exciting championship game where in the fourth quarter with a tied score, the Wildcats' skill, training, hard work, and athleticism paid off and led them to an emotional two touchdown victory. I want to extend my congratulations to the Taft Union High School Wildcats student athletes for their impressive championship win and 2007 season. The 2007 roster included Donald Baggs II, Derek Barnes, David Barraza, Dalton Botts, Chad Cruz, Wes Elland, Blake Emberson, Lyndon Faagau, Jose Flores, Jeremy Gonzales, Sergio Gonzales, Tommy Halphin, James Hiracheta, Tyler Houghton, Austin Kindred, Loren Kolb, Joe Laulu, Andrew LeClair, Konelio Maino, Dylan Niblett, Matther Nixon, Jeremy Orr, Christian Ramirez, Kurtis Rawls, Blaine Reich, Jerry Romo, Ricardo Romo, Ben Savali, Ioane Savail, Fabian Scheifele, Shane Sefo, Cody Shirreffs, Jesse Simmons, Steven Spoonemore, Jesse Tafoya, Fabian Taute, Kyle Taylor, Jeremiah Twisselman, Joel Vermillion, Tommy Williams, Aaron Wroblewski, Stewart Bandy, Avesee Faagau, Adalberto Figueroa, Eric Foch, Shaquil Gant, Mike Hagstrom, Kacey Kaszyckl, Hunter Liljeroos, Mike Newkirk, Todd Parker, Felipe Pulldo, Cody Reaves, Andrew Smith, Freddy Tuuamalemalo, Jordan Vermillion, and Braxton Walters. I also want to congratulate the coaching staff who helped lead the team to its championship season. The Wildcat head coach is Steve Sprague and his coaching team includes Russell Emberson, Arley Hill, Rick Woodson, Shawn Cummins, Rob Cleveland, Paul Martinez, Brian Durkan, Bryan Powell, Dee Griffith, Mike Goodwin, John Wagner, and Jeremy Letterman. Participation in athletics is a wonderful component of a high school education because it [[Page 329]] provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork and competition. The months of physical and mental training and the teamwork that was required to win this Valley Championship will benefit these young men long after their high school graduation. On behalf of the residents of the 22nd Congressional District, I once again commend the Taft Union High School Wildcats on winning the 2007 Valley Championship. I am very proud of the accomplishments of the 2007 Wildcats football team, and I know the parents, teachers, neighbors and fans in our community will remember this season for many years to come. ____________________