Schools & Sports

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.

CAMP COOKIN’

It was a playoff atmosphere last Friday night with the student body dressing to impress, the band in full uniform, and playoff implications on the line. Could the Falcons answer the call against one of 6A’s prime rushing attacks? The Falcons struck early again last week, scoring 14 points before the Bulldogs could blink. Crochette was 8 of 16 for 215 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The leading receivers were, of course, the dynamic duo of Robinson and McCoy. Robinson had 2 catches for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. On Robinson’s 2nd catch, he made a circus style catch over his defender. McCoy had 3 catches, 72 yards, and 1 touchdown. The passing game was explosive, but it was the ground game that helped eat the clock and give the defensive a muchneeded rest in between possessions. Sanders had the hot hand early behind the OL, who pushed the dogs around most of the night. Sanders had 72 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Next up was Andi Asuquo who ran for a very tough 58 yards on 21 carries. Andi had some key first downs to keep the drives alive. Standout Aamii Branch also had 3 touches for 92 yards, 2 of those being big kickoff returns.

Forney vs North Forney Water Polo September 26th

Fall hunting kicked off this month with the start of dove season, but it’s never too late to learn the skill and value hunting brings to Texas wildlife through upcoming hunter education classes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Hunter Education Program offers in-person learning events through the end of February, which combine a classroom course with beginner hunting opportunities in the field with experts.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Two weeks ago, Forney High homecoming court nominees were escorted by their loved ones across the City Bank Stadium football field dressed in elaborate gowns and suits, representing their classmates and community. Last week, it was Lufkin’s turn to have their nominees walk across the Abe Martin Stadium field waiting for their king and queen to be revealed. After the crowning ceremony, Lufkin community members waved their “Ls” in the air with pride and excitement as their band played the Lufkin school song before the game. This was quite the fitting choice, as the Lufkin Panthers ended up putting the “L” in Loss after being bested by the Forney Jackrabbits on their own turf during their big homecoming game by 21 points. While the Panthers definitely put up a fight, they ended up being no match for the Jackrabbits.

The magic of a playofflike atmosphere filled the air as the Falcons took on Mesquite Horn for their first district appointment of the 2023 season. The Falcon offense struck gold on the first play from scrimmage to McCoy, who would go 80 yards for the first score of the night. The offense would score two more times, once on the ground by Andikan Asuquo and once by a sweep pass from Sanders to Isiah Mayfield.

FALL IS IN THE AIR

It was a big night for the Falcons as they were looking to get to that 4-win spot for the first time since moving to 6A. The offense didn’t disappoint, scoring 46 points. Tamarion Crochett had another great game, going 10 for 16 for 201 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Falcons’ rushing attack added its contribution of 23 rushes for 167 yards.