U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, in a floor speech on Thursday, honored DeSales High School for winning its first football state championship last weekend.

DeSales outlasted Newport Central Catholic High School by a score of 34-26 to win the Class 2-A state championship.

“The title caps a remarkable 14-1 season for the Colts, who became only the second South End team ever to win state,” Yarmuth said in the speech.

It was the second time in its history that DeSales made it to the state football finals. In 1981, the school made it to the Class 4-A championship game before losing to Lexington’s Henry Clay High School.

For most of it’s history, DeSales, which was founded in 1956, played in the same divisions as traditional powerhouses St. Xavier and Trinity.

“The debate over the best Colts team in school history will continue back home, but there’s no question this year’s team now stands at the top,” Yarmuth said. “They might have been outsized through much of the playoffs, but they were never outmatched or outplayed.”

Later Thursday, the DeSales team, was honored by the Louisville Metro Council with a proclamation and Ky. State Rep. Denny Butler (38th District) extended them a Jan. 17 invite to Frankfort for a ceremony.

Then members of council and the team’s friends and family rose to their with applause.