FORNEY, Texas — The Forney High School Jackrabbits, after more than 20 years, have clinched a Regional Championship in the UIL Class 5A State Championship Playoffs and are now heading to a final-four showdown with defending state champion, Aledo.
FORNEY, Texas — The Forney High School Jackrabbits, after more than 20 years, have clinched a Regional Championship in the UIL Class 5A State Championship Playoffs and are now heading to a final-four showdown with defending state champion, Aledo.
Forney won the plays that mattered in the district rivalry matchup against Lancaster, securing a 43-41 win in double overtime — despite statistics that would typically say otherwise, with Lancaster doubling up on offensive stats.
Lancaster tacked up 510 total rushing yards and 28 first downs to Forney's 250 and 10.
Lancaster started the scoring in the first quarter, and would hold the lead until the third quarter, with quarterback Carter Jones Connecting with Emmanuel Choice at the 8:42 mark.
Forney answered with quarterback Kyle Crawford connection with Imari Jehiel with 6:32 on the clock.
Just before the end of the quarter, Lancaster again pulled into the lead with Jones once again connection with Choice.
Forney leveled the scoring late in the second quarter with a 2-yard scramble by Javian Osborne. With a minute remaining in the half, Lancaster's Mar'Kel Porter put the tigers up 21-14 as the teams headed into the locker room.
The third quarter started with a bang.
Forney's Alijah Merkson returned the kickoff 84 yards to tie the scoring at 21.
Forney would take the lead on Lancaster's next possession after an interception by Oregon-commit Aaron Flowers was returned for a touchdown.
With 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Tigers equalized the scoring with Jones connecting with Kameron Robinson — scoring which would remain unchanged through the 4th quarter, prompting overtime play.
In overtime, Jackrabbits' Osborne scored with Asher Wall securing the PAT. Tigers' Porter answered with Andres Castro also securing the PAT.
Scoring was now tied at 35-35.
In second overtime, Lancaster was quick to score but failed to convert on the two-point conversion.
Forney tied with another Osborne touchdown and a successful two-point conversion — a Crawford pass to Kofi Eduful. Forney won 43-41.
Forney now prepares to take on defending state champion, Aledo, in the SemiFinals round of playoffs on December 8, 2023, at Midlothian ISD's Roesler Athletic Complex.
Aledo is 14-0 on the season while Forney is 13-1.