FORNEY, Texas — Forney High School (2-3, 5-3) fell short on Friday night to Rockwall-Heath (3-2, 5-3), 21-14, and are continuing on a path much like their 2014-15 season — with five-straight wins followed by four-straight loses.
FORNEY, Texas — Forney High School (2-3, 5-3) fell short on Friday night to Rockwall-Heath (3-2, 5-3), 21-14, and are continuing on a path much like their 2014-15 season — with five-straight wins followed by four-straight loses.
The Jackrabbits started the last two years with an impressive five-game winning streaks but capped off their 2014-15 season in opposition of what would be the four playoff teams of the season and four losses.
With Friday night’s 24-14 loss to Rockwall-Heath at Wilkerson Sanders Memorial Stadium in Rockwall, Forney started off with five-straight wins and now back-to-back losses.
Tonight’s game was played in constant rain with neither school’s band or drill team in attendance. The game was not near as sloppy as you might expect in those conditions. Forney gave up two turnovers to none for Rockwall-Heath. After the last two weeks, especially in these conditions, that was an improvement for Forney.
The Rockwall-Heath offense has been run-heavy all season which played into their favor given Friday night’s conditions. Rockwall-Heath got out to a fast start and scored on their first two possessions. The first possession covered 70 yards and took nine plays. The drive was capped with a Canaan Smith one-yard run for the first score of the night. After an interception of Luke Skipper in the endzone to kill a promising Forney drive, Rockwall-Heath ran the ball for another 80 yards and their second touchdown of the game to take a 14-0 lead.
Skipper recovered on Forney’s next drive and hit Malik Woods in stride for a 48-yard touchdown. Forney missed the extra point and trailed 14-6 at the end of the 1st quarter. Forney had a chance to tie the game on the next drive after moving to the Rockwall-Heath 6-yard line for a first-and-goal. Unfortunately, the next three plays were for negative yards and the Jackrabbits missed a golden opportunity.
After a halftime that saw both teams change jerseys, a first for this reporter, each team scored a lone touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Forney converted a two-point conversion after a Luke Skipper three-yard run around the left side to close to 21-14.
Forney wouldn’t get closer on the scoreboard, as a couple of key penalties killed drives and Rockwall-Heath shortened the game by keeping the ball on the ground and the clock running.
Forney will play West Mesquite at City Bank Stadium next Friday at 7:30 p.m. for Forney’s Senior Night.
In order to land a playoff berth, Forney will look to win their last two games of district play against West Mesquite High School (1-3, 3-4) and cross-town rival North Forney High School (1-3, 2-5).
Key stats for the game include Rockwall-Heath's total yardage of 346 compared to Forney’s 256, Rockwall-Heath only attempted one pass on the night, Forney averaged 2.47 yards per rush, and Rockwall-Heath quarterback Canaan Smith led all players with 205 rushing yards.
Game day photos by Big Shots Photography of Forney, Texas.