First off I want to say congratulations on the 2006 AA state championship. Shared or not, it is a championship, the first here since 1963. You guys had an unbelievable and special season, and your hardwork and dedication has made this school and community proud. You guys really exemplified what true champions are. This year has been a special year for me. It is my senior year, and I have grown up with alot of the core of key players of this team. I have played baseball and soccer and even been in the band with several of them. I have also been in Boy Scouts with a couple of them. My fellow seniors on the football team, I am proud of you. I have really enjoyed watching you guys bring so many memories to Dublin football the last four years. I'll never forget our freshman year late in the year when we were already out of the playoffs, and Ben Cochran came in the game late to lead us to victory. That was only the start of a brilliant career. I remember the Calhoun game in 2004 down 30-14 in the third quarter when Ben started the comeback with a 91 yard touchdown run. And last year anchoring that team through a record-breaking regular season. And finally this year when Ben showed why he was the heart of this team with clutch run after clutch run and many clutch passes along the way. Ben Cochran would be my quarterback any day of the week. Brian Wilcher would be in my backfield any day of the week. I have watched the little guy run up and down opponents for the past four years, never shying away from contact but rather taking it on. I remember when Thomas Barnes came out of nowhere to help lead us through the 2004 playoffs, and now he has become one of the best two-way players ever at Dublin. Several others like Brandon Edmond, Tyler Josey, Brandon Taylor, Jamon Morris, Michael Hall, Will Griffith, Tony Smith, Chris Williams, Jesse Coxwell, Tim Wells, and Drew Griggs who have come into their own for the team. And then there are the role players like Kenyardo O'Neal, Thomas Cox, Josh Tarpley, Izell Stephens, Nick Davis, Sammie Daniel, Grant Hingst, and Miles Allen. All of these guys are dear in my heart. They have performed like champions, and now they are champions. I want to thank you guys for all the memories.

I want thank the coaching staff starting with head coach Roger Holmes. There is no doubt in my mind, that he is the hardest working coach in the state, and he is reason number one why this program is where it is at right now. He has put Dublin football back on the map. I would like to also thank the rest of the staff: Coach Vandygriff, Coach Barham, Coach Collins, Coach Claxton, Coach Love, Coach Gibbs, Coach Simpson, Coach Taylor, Coach Hagler, and Coach Pollack for the time and energy that they have given this year towards making this team a state champion.

On a real personal note, as I said this has been a special year for me with it being my senior year. For the past four years, I have been a member of the Fighting Irish Band for the past four years. I am the quad player(four drums for those of you who don't know) for the band. I want to thank all three of our directors and all of my fellow band members, especially the seniors who have helped continue this band's tradition as one of the best in the state over the last four years. I want to thank my dad and all the other band boosters who have supported us all the way until the end.

I also want to thank the cheerleaders and the rest of the student body who have helped cheer the Irish on all these years.

I want to thank some others like DubFosco whose website and dedication to the team and school have helped everyone keep up with the Irish. Thanks to all the loyal fans and supporters.

I have learned that high school football, other sports, band, etc. is not about winning or losing. It's about the lessons in life that you learn. I have made many of my greatest memories through high school, whether it be on a friday night under the lights or a hot saturday afternoon at a band competition or on the baseball field or whatever. The memories I have made and the fellowship I have shared will go with me wherever life decides to take me. I am a senior, but next year and for years to come, I will come to as many games as I can. I will always bleed green and gold, and I will always be Irish.

Scott Thompson Jr.

Dublin High School Class of 2007.