JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Byram Middle School football team was honored with a ceremony at the Mississippi State Capitol.

Hosted by State Rep. Fabian Nelson (D-District 66), Thursday’s ceremony was to honor the effort put in by the middle school team. The students were provided tours of the Capitol and honored with a declaration for their successful undefeated seasons.

Nelson said he was proud to honor the team for their second state championship in a row, as well as a second undefeated seven-win season.

“Many times, we have great things happening in the community, especially involving young people,” said Nelson. “This is an honor because they’re truly our future, and it’s important that we recognize the great things that they’re doing.”

Byram Middle School’s football team was previously honored at the Capitol for their undefeated season in 2025, followed by a state championship.

The Bulldogs’ quarterback James Ross said being honored in the Capitol for a second straight year meant a lot to him and his younger teammates.

“It feels great to be honest because the seventh graders they really never had this experience before like the people from [2025] did,” said Ross.

Head coach Rodricus Magee, Sr., wanted the players to learn more from the experience than success on the gridiron. He said he hopes through his coaching that his students can learn valuable life lessons they can carry with them past the game of football.

“I really don’t care about football games, I’m teaching life lessons,” said Magee. “I look on the news every day. We’re losing young people and I’m trying to be that game changer for our young people in our community.”

The Byram Middle School Bulldogs are in their second season under Magee. After being hired as head coach ahead of their 2025 season, the team has not lost a single game.

The two undefeated seasons in a row are a first in school history for Byram Middle School.