Schools & Sports

A packed stadium. A joyous crowning ceremony. An electric atmosphere. The only other thing needed to make Friday’s Homecoming game the perfect night was a blowout win, and the Forney Jackrabbits understood their assignment. With a 69-0 win against the West Mesquite Wranglers in their first district game of the season, the Jackrabbits have continued to exceed all expectations. The game began on an exceptionally high note when Sophomore Wide Receiver Imari Jehiel took West Mesquite’s opening kick from the 30-yard line to the endzone for a touchdown with only 12 seconds off the clock. Following the tone Jehiel set for the game, Senior Defensive Lineman Tristan “Tank” Bennett stole the ball from Wrangler Junior Quarterback Demetris Ballard and made a dash to the endzone putting Forney at 13-0 (after Senior Kicker Asher Wall’s kick) with 10:37 left in the first quarter. Throughout the game, the Wranglers struggled to get positive yardage and get past the Jackrabbit defense, while the Jackrabbit offense made it look easy. Senior Wide Receiver Kofi Eduful caught Senior Kyle Crawford’s 35-yard pass and coasted into the endzone from the 15-yard line for a 21-0 scoreboard read. Joining in on the fun, Sophomore Running Back Javian Osborne made a run for it from the 45-yard line and Sophomore Kicker Vincent Hart got Forney the extra point to put the Jackrabbits at 28-0 with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Senior Defensive Lineman Trenton Dawson also made a big play when he sacked Ballard at the 10-yard line and killed one of their only opportunities to get points.

2023 Forney High School Homecoming Royalty

Photos Courtesy of Cady Studios

PARADISE ACROSS THE RED RIVER

The chances of lightning striking the same place twice are low, but the chances of the Poteet Pirates ending Friday’s game with a win against the Forney Jackrabbits were even lower. Statistics appeared to hold as a thunderstorm gradually made its way through the North Texas region over the weekend and led to the cancellation of the game only after the scoreboard read 53-0 before the fourth quarter in favor of the Jackrabbits. Playing on their home turf in the largest high school football stadium in the state, the Pirates had a chance to bring their community pride by beating an up-andcoming team with multiple nationally ranked players. However, the Jackrabbits were intent on continuing their winning streak and showing everyone that they were not the same school they were four years ago.

Pirates Take It To Fightin’ Indians 49-17

It was the first Friday night game of the year for the Falcons. The North Mesquite Stallions, led by stand out QB Luke Sedar, came into town with high hopes. The game was sloppy with penalties and miscues according to Head Coach Eric Luster, OC Coach Velasquez, DC Gordon Booker, and SC Mike Idleman. Coach Luster summed it up by saying, “Any time you win, it’s good. But the play was not up to Falcon standards. Penalties, substitution errors, and personal fouls are not our expectation or standard.”

COOL WEATHER HOG HUNT!

The Falcons faced the Rowlett Eagles on Thursday night, winning convincingly 42-14. Head Coach Eric Luster said, “This was a true team when. All three phases played well and were able to overcome a game time change by the Eagles.” The game was set for 7:30, but for unknown reasons the Eagles changed the start time to 7:00. The entire warm up session for the Falcons was totally disrupted.

Ending their last season with a 2-8 record and a second-to-last standing in their district, the Frisco Memorial Warriors had something to prove going into the ‘23-’24 school year. It would be up to them to rise to the challenge and make their comeback... which they might have had a better chance at doing if their second game of the season wasn’t against the up-andcoming powerhouse that is Forney. While the Warriors were already off to a rocky start with a 28-7 loss against Lakeview Centennial, they were given a crash course in real football when the scoreboard read 62-0 in favor of the Jackrabbits last Friday. Starting their season by putting out a multi-decade rivalry in their first game and dominating against Memorial for the second year in a row in their second game, the Forney Jackrabbits are continuing to gain momentum for a big swing at a state championship title.

Staff Writer Crandall journeyed to City Bank Stadium for a game that matched rivals, PIRATES and JACKRABBITS, on another 100+ degrees Texas day with a sprinkling of rain and more record-breaking heat expected, according to Pete Delkus. By 6:15 p. m. many cars were already looking for good spots. Somebody left a good one for me–thanks!

GIGGING FROGS AND GARLIC FOR DEER

To say that this was one of the most anticipated games of the Jackrabbit football season would be an understatement.