Schools & Sports

All photos by DENILSON SIBRIAN

All photos by EDDY TAYLOR

All photos by JASON BOWIE

Pirates Get Stung By Yellow Jackets 48-22

The Falcons and Red Raiders headed into last Friday night both with 3 and 1 records in the district, each looking for the 2nd spot and a potential home playoff spot. The offense and defense had great nights once again this week. The defense held the Raiders to 3 points and only 177 total yards. The defense forced several fumbles and potential interceptions but only ended up with one recovery.

As this year’s chapter begins to come to a close, a new one has opened: the chapter of unpredictable (and typically, unfavorable) Texas weather. Forney’s game against McKinney North was expected to be one for the books for multiple reasons. Our senior Jackrabbits involved with Friday Night Lights – which includes football players, cheerleaders,Highsteppers, band members, and more – were going to be honored for their contributions over the past four years as they were walked down the field by their loved ones, followed by the Jackrabbits taking on a team that beat out and fell to many of the same schools as them for a predicted one-score game. However, the weather had other plans, and after multiple lightning delay resets, the game was rescheduled for last Saturday with a noon kickoff and canceled Senior Night festivities. Despite having to readjust and still play in unsavory conditions, as the temperature at kickoff was predicted to be 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the Jackrabbits knew that they were going to have to give it their all if they wanted to play on their own turf for their first-round playoff game and continue to solidify their program as a Dallas powerhouse. Head Coach Jeff Fleener reminded his players that playoff games and collegiate games are played on Saturdays and the Jackrabbits should aim to prove that they can do that as well. And prove they did, with a 40-7 (so, definitely not one-score) victory against the McKinney Bulldogs for their third consecutive win and their eighth overall win this season. Although the Bulldogs were the only ones to put up points within the first quarter, the Jackrabbit defense put a swift end to that, and the Forney players were the only ones scoring touchdowns for the rest of the game.

Fine and Dandy, I Would Say!

CHOCTAW HUNTING LODGE - DEER HUNTING STEEPED IN HISTORY

It was the game of the week with playoff implications. Rockwall came in with the #1 ranked offense in the district and with good reason. The Yellow Jackets racked up 527 yards total offense to the Falcons’ 472, but it would be the 7 turnovers which would be the Falcons downfall. Jeremy Mathews would have the only fumble recovery for the Falcons, caused by Falcon standout Caleb Holt. Special teams play for the Falcons would give up 12 points and 2 onside kicks. It would be the Falcons’ offense that would be the only positive of the night. Crochett would throw 15 of 22 for 230 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception. The rushing attack also had a decent night, rushing for 247 yards, but the 4 fumbles would be more than the Falcons could overcome. Offensive leaders would be Koko Robinson with 3 catches for 123 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 returns for 51 yards. Also adding to the passing attack would be Sanders pulling in 4 catches for 49 yards and McCoy 6 for 28. Rushing leaders were Asuquo with 10 carries for 82 yards, Sanders with 14 for 79 and 1 touchdown, Branch with 5 for 76 and 1 touchdown, and Burns with 4 for 11 and 1 touchdown. Head Coach Luster said he was disappointed in the Falcons’ overall play. He said, “This was a good test to see where we are and what we have to do to

CRANDALL VARSITY FOOTBALL

There are two words that can summarize last week’s matchup: Freaky Friday. Last year, Lancaster gave Forney a masterclass with a 56-6 win. This year, the Jackrabbits got their revenge with a 21-20 victory. Although the win margin is significantly smaller, the implications of it are anything but. Forney started off the season coming off of a 7-4 record and being ranked 168th in the state, while Lancaster went into the season being ranked 37th in the state with a 9-3 record. However, following the theme of the beloved Mary Rodger’s novel (and its three adaptations), both schools did a complete 180 – Forney is now 6-1 and a top 40 team, while Lancaster just lost their fifth game of the season to be ranked 87th in the state. “Forney isn’t the team it used to be” is a sentiment that has been shared every week in this newspaper, but this game might have cemented it as a fact. The incredible “Darkside Defense” that boasts both team and individual statistics that are almost, if not, double the national average in every category (including sacks, passes defended, and total tackles) get a lot of the credit, but the star-powered offense, which includes sophomore running back and Division I prospect Javian Osborne who leads the team in total points with 72 and senior Kofi Eduful (another Division I prospect) who is second in the district for receiving yards with 298 and leads the team in receiving touchdowns, have made their mark as well.

DALE COASTAL RAINFOREST RANCH An Outdoor Wonderland In Belize

People from all over Texas tuned in to watch the two powerhouse teams face off in what was dubbed “the top 10 showdown in the state” with the Longview Lobos ranked second in 5A Division I and the Forney Jackrabbits at tenth (according to the biggest Texas high school football publication, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football). With numerous Division I and nationally ranked prospects on both sides of the ball, both teams have star power on their rosters. Senior Taylor Tatum, a fourstar running back ranked first in the nation who had 39 official Division I offers prior to committing to the Oklahoma Sooners for football and baseball, is one of the starters for Longview. The Jackrabbits have a lot of talented players as well, including top-100 player and four-star running back Javian Osborne, four-star junior linebacker Kelvion Riggins, and fourstar senior defensive back and Oregon commit Aaron Flowers. Without taking into account the numerous other Division I prospects on both teams, those four players have received over 100 Division I offers combined, so Friday’s game was one not to be missed. The game was predicted to be much closer than the previous meeting, which saw Longview triumph 46-7. Prior to this game, Longview averaged 151.4 points while having a 4-1 record, while Forney averaged 256.4 while having an undefeated record. Although both teams gave it their all, the Lobos ultimately prevailed by a score of 13-7. But as the Jackrabbits and Lobos battled for the victory, spectators on both sides were on the edge of their seats for all four quarters.