The Forney Jackrabbits traveled east on US Highway 80 to be the Homecoming opponent for the Terrell Tigers. The game featured a lot of youngsters on the Terrell side (a sophomore QB, a sophomore Tight End and a junior Wide Receiver were the most notable) and a surprise youngster starting at QB for the Jackrabbits.
The Forney Jackrabbits traveled east on US Highway 80 to be the Homecoming opponent for the Terrell Tigers. The game featured a lot of youngsters on the Terrell side (a sophomore QB, a sophomore Tight End and a junior Wide Receiver were the most notable) and a surprise youngster starting at QB for the Jackrabbits.
In the end, the sophomores from Terrell proved to be the difference as the Tigers came out on top 35-28 (2-5, 1-3) in the most exciting, and disappointing, game of the year for the Jackrabbits (1-6, 0-4).
Luke Skipper took over the starting QB duties for the Jackrabbits in this game. The first half was more of what has ailed the boys in Black and Gold all year. A Skipper fumble, several fumbled snaps, more penalties, and a muffed punt all conspired to limit the Jackrabbit output to 7 points in the first half. The lone score was a Skipper 19-yard pass to David Burnett. Burnett’s catch was a thing of beauty as he had to leap over a Tiger defender and make a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone.
The Tigers matched the Jackrabbit production when they finally managed a successful drive late in the second quarter to tie the score at 7 on a Quaymas White rush from 4 yards out. It was a very sloppy first half on both sides and both teams had to feel fortunate to go into halftime tied at 7.
The second half was a very different story. Shaking off the jitters, Luke Skipper led Forney to 21 second half points. It was actually the fourth quarter before the Jackrabbits broke through, on an 11 yard scamper around the right end by Chazz Slatinsky. Slatinsky showed a burst that has been missing from the Forney Running Backs for a couple of weeks. That score came at 10:54 left in the fourth and tied the game at 14.
After Terrell scored again and went up 21-14, Forney answered with their best play of the night. The TD was an electrifying 55-yard completion by Skipper to David Burnett after a scramble and a beautiful throw on the run. Burnett continues to be the go-to wide receiver for the Jackrabbits when they need a big play.
Another quick score by the Tigers, which happened too often on this night, made it 28-21 Terrell with 4:28 to go. The Jackrabbits were now battling the clock and a 7 point deficit. On a fourth and eight, Luke Skipper scrambled and hit Collin Rucker for 32 yards and new life for the Jackrabbit offense. Elijah Roberson tied the game with a strong 11-yard touchdown run with 1:20 left in the game.
At this point, it only took the Tigers two plays to eliminate the Jackrabbits from playoff contention with a 64-yard touchdown pass to Damon Moss from sophomore quarterback Michael Nelson. In the end, the Jackrabbits put up a valiant fight, but it was too little too late as the saying goes.
The Forney community now turns its focus to a week of cross-town rivalry events, starting with the Community Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday morning through downtown Forney. The Jackrabbits will be looking to eliminate the Falcons from playoff contention and salvage their season by retaining town bragging rights at the Unity Bowl on October 25, 2013.