The Forney Jackrabbits and fans got treated to an exciting football game at Allen's Eagle Stadium, the largest single-team stadium in the State of Texas and quite possibly one of the most expensive high school football stadiums in the nation. Allen’s Eagle Stadium was a sight to see and so was the action on the field.
The Forney Jackrabbits and fans got treated to an exciting football game at Allen's Eagle Stadium, the largest single-team stadium in the State of Texas and quite possibly one of the most expensive high school football stadiums in the nation. Allen’s Eagle Stadium was a sight to see and so was the action on the field.
The Forney Jackrabbits had a first half of missed opportunities after forcing four turnovers by Prosper. The first turnover was on Prosper’s second offensive play when defensive back Cody Penny made an interception of a floating down-field pass by the Eagles quarterback. Three other fumbles by Prosper, one into the Jackrabbit end-zone as the Eagles were threatening to score, helped keep the Jackrabbits in striking distance. Prosper’s lone early score was setup by an interception return that gave the offense great field position inside the Forney 5 yard line.
Forney finally was able to get things going the right way and closed out the first half with a 7-6 lead. The lone touchdown for Forney was setup by a long screen pass to Darris Jenkins and some nifty running by Jenkins on a few designed runs. Sophomore AJ Atnip finalized the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run. Minutes later, Senior Clay Collins barely missed a long field goal attempt late in the second quarter that could have put the Jackrabbits up 10-6 before halftime. Jackrabbit's faithful fans spent halftime wondering if the in-game adjustments could last and wondering if this was the night Forney was to gain their first ever 4A playoff win.
Prosper had different plans and came out strong in the third quarter. An impressive opening drive by the Eagles ended with a blocked field goal and Forney’s excitement and anticipation rose accordingly. Unfortunately for the Jackrabbits, Prosper turned it up the pressure on defense and continued to harass Forney QB Jack King resulting in a sputtering Forney offense that couldn't get near the end zone.
Prosper scored after a second consecutive impressive drive was capped by Marquez Houston’s 12-yard touchdown run, making the score 12-7 in favor of Prosper. Prosper's QB Davis Webb then scored two more touchdowns for the Eagles. The second touchdown will forever be disputed by Forney fans. QB Davis Webb leaped over a pile of players for the goal line and the ball came loose. Jackrabbit players though it was a fumbled ball and snatched it up and prepared for a return. However, the play had already been called a touchdown at the goal line by the officials.
Forney fans took to Facebook, Twitter, and inForney.com to voice their frustrations over the call but the call was already made official.
The Forney Jackrabbits managed to tack on another 7 points with :29 seconds left in the game on a Jack King 5-yard pass to Jacob Norris. The Prosper Eagles won the game with a final score of 26-14.
Gonzo's Notes: Much respect to Senior Quarterback Jack King who continued to play in this highly anticipated game after suffering two broken fingers on the first possession of the game. Many folks couldn’t have continued in the face of such adversity. Combine King’s injury with a second injury on the same possession to RB/WR Clayton Chadwick that relegated him to the sidelines for the rest of the game, and Forney was behind the proverbial Eight Ball all night long. The halftime score and second half efforts by King and the Jackrabbits attest to the heart of this team and the passion with which they played the entire season. While frustrations with the outcome are sure to linger, hopefully the pride and admiration for the boys efforts will not be so short-lived. Thanks for a great season, Jackrabbits.