Schools & Sports

Entering Thursday night’s matchup both Crandall and Forney were 2-0 in district play. There was a lot on the line as 5A Region 2 District 8 is a highly competitive district. The Jackrabbits had lost a heartbreaker last season in quadruple overtime to the Pirates. If that game was any prediction of how Thursday night would go, we were going to be in for a treat. Both teams wouldn’t disappoint!

By Adam Wardlaw Photos By Jim Klenke

The Crandall Pirates entered their bye week by beating district opponent North Forney 71-43. This put the Pirates’ overall record at 4-1 and 2-0 in district play.

This game has been two years in the making. Since moving up to district 5A, Crandall has been waiting to play North Forney. Last year’s matchup was canceled due to COVID, so the Pirates waited patiently for this date to roll around.

Forney faced off against the Tigers from Corsicana at City Bank Stadium for their annual Homecoming Game. The Jackrabbits’ Defense dominated the Tigers from start to finish in front of a packed home crowd. The Jackrabbits’ Offense had their highest scoring output on the season to help the team secure their second straight district victory.

The Pirates went into the practice week with a 2-1 record in non-district play. Coach Hardin was preparing his team for their first district opponent of the season in the Wildcats. Last season the Wildcats handed the Pirates a big loss which was not forgotten going into this matchup.

Going for their fourth win in the last five games against their crosstown rivals and looking to give Head Coach Eric Luster a win in his first Unity Bowl at the helm of North Forney, the Falcons faced off against the Forney Jackrabbits at City Bank Stadium last Friday night.

The Forney High School Jackrabbits faced off against the North Forney High School Falcons in the much-anticipated Tenth Annual Unity Bowl at City Bank Stadium last Friday night, September 17. It was the Jackrabbits’ year to sit on the visitor’s side of the stadium as NFHS hosted as the home team this year, and the fans were happy to come fill the stands in support of their Rabbits.

Disclaimer: I went to this game as a fan of both Forney Teams, and my greatest hope was for an exciting game from start to finish, with no serious injuries and no unjustified disruptions. I believe I “got” all that I expected and more. But, I must admit that since I am a graduate of Forney High and was a 37-year-teacher there, I was pulling for the Rabbits to be the scoreboard winners. I have several times heard the old cliché that “both teams were winners,” and Friday night that was true! I will try to remember details correctly!

All photos by JASON BOWIE

All photos by JIM KLENKE

All photos by JIM KLENKE