Disclaimer: I went to this game as a fan of both Forney Teams, and my greatest hope was for an exciting game from start to finish, with no serious injuries and no unjustified disruptions. I believe I “got” all that I expected and more. But, I must admit that since I am a graduate of Forney High and was a 37-year-teacher there, I was pulling for the Rabbits to be the scoreboard winners. I have several times heard the old cliché that “both teams were winners,” and Friday night that was true! I will try to remember details correctly!
Vivian, Weston, Katie and I left Old Military Trail at 6:30, parked in the library lot, strolled to the gate, showed our tickets/pass to “old student, associate, friend,” Lesley Buntin, and accepted an “on-line” shopping guide (Viv) so we could purchase FISD athletic products. By 6:47, we were in the visitor stands and staring at an unrelenting sun, before we moved to the 50-yard-line and wonderful shade, provided by the stands and press area across the way.
We looked over the “warming-up” teams and made some predictions. Weston (past Jackrabbit player) said he hoped his “old team” would win but was afraid they would not, and Katie agreed. Vivian predicted 21—17 for the Rabbits, and I added a 19—16 Rabbit victory.
While predicting, we heard an announcement about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Forney and were happy the organization was still “going strong” and being supported by the District.
Next, we noticed a scoreboard view of past “Unity Bowls” and scores (nice touch and thanks to whoever was responsible for that pictorial display) and saw that the tally was Forney with 6 victories and North Forney with 3, and that North had won the previous two games 57—10 and 61—21!
Next, the two “Student Councils” exchanged gifts as a show of unity, and we saw a few people we knew (Quintana, Goldsmith, Martin-Crawford). Each year it is fewer as we age!
We liked the “run-out” of Warren Warriors, Jackson Jaguars, Brown Bears, and Viv (former drill team sponsor) thought all drill team members looked stunning in their (team colors) outfits.
We liked the “homemade” breakthrough that said, “Rabbit Fans, are you ready to ruffle some feathers?” And the “presentation of colors” (Forney, State, Nation) by the Jr.—R. O. T. C., along with the “colors” already flowing on the flagpole, plus seeing most players and fans standing at respectful honor with hats off, hands over hearts, and singing along with the National Anthem (excellent job by the N. F. H. S. Choir) made me proud to be in attendance!
The field goal challenge, pitting administrators Campbell (wide left) and Jung (through the middle), was a nice side-light!
And then it was FOOTBALL TIME in Forney, Texas, with the Rabbits kicking to the Falcons at the 30 yard line with little return! North had little success and had to punt. The Rabbits had the same lack of offensive success and also had to punt. Then, North punted again. It looked like a “stalemate” was beginning!
We decided we needed a program, but had not seen any; a nice lady in front of us (Misty Huffman) told us where they were and then even went and picked one up for us when she “got” hers. It had been a while since we had bought one—and were a little “shell-shocked” by the $10.00 price. (I remember that when I was a boy, Dad purchased one at the gate for $0.10 [a few years ago], a “fold-over!”) The Rabbits completed a pass to the North Forney 43 yard line.
A play or two later, North intercepts a pass, and starts a drive, but the Rabbits hold them on a 4th down attempt and “re-take over” with momentum. A few plays later, though, North holds and forces a 4th down decision. The Rabbits (Coaches) decide to try a field goal from about the 30+ yard line; the 40+ yard attempt hits the crossbar in the middle but sails on over into the “points good” land of scoring! Rabbits lead 3—0!
The announcer reminds the fans in attendance to remember that the “game is being played for the kids” and that “coaches and officials are only human!” A-men! We should all remember that in everyday situations!
A “pooch” kick to the 30; North sacked for a 6-yards loss; Rabbits intercept; quarter ends! “What-a-Burger Challenge” sees a young man win free burgers by answering a question about the score differences in previous bowl games. I knew the answer and could taste a burger about that time!
2nd Quarter: Rabbits “go for it” on 4th down—unsuccessful. North makes a nice run, but a penalty “ruins” some of it! Falcons fumble but recover; North’s #76 goes down with an injury—is helped off the field. He has been playing well!
North completes a long pass and is aided by a penalty on the Forney defense. North loses yardage but then completes a long pass for the touchdown on the next play, plus adds the P. A. T. and takes a 7—3 lead.
The two teams go back-and-forth for several minutes with good defense by North, good punting by Forney, and things staying “equal.” There are some penalties that make me want to complain, but I remember the announcer’s advice and keep quiet—mostly—a player is “put out of the game” for “targeting,” and I remember playing football back in the 1960s, when we all tackled just like he did—and that was just “part of the game!”
Not calling out many numbers of players, but did notice #s 70 and 66 (Forney) really making some good blocks!
Halftime: The two bands and drill teams perform admirably; most fans stay in their seats to watch to the finish—then go for refreshments! North’s “Drill” did a “criss-cross” entrance that was amazing!
Found out we were sitting by the Mom of Peyton Negri (#88) and saw a former student’s daughter, Avery Hayman, in the band. We think we see Matt Barnes down in front of us.
2nd Half begins, and the Rabbits going strong with good blocking by #s 7 and 56, but they fumble the ball; North recovers but has to punt; Forney completes a long TD pass, even though it appears the receiver was interfered with; P. A. T. is good, and the Rabbits lead 10—7. They kick off to North and quickly intercept but cannot push across a touchdown, so they kick a field goal straight and true (after passing up earlier field goal opportunities) and lead 13—7.
Time Out for the “Mascot Race,” which is won “by a mile” by “Reverend” from C-Life Church. (He has no bulky uniform to impede him, but it appeared he could have won with a “leg iron” on!)
4th Quarter—Forney recovers its “pooch” kick off. North’s #22 makes some valuable tackles. Some strange calls about “uncatchable” and “out of bounds” on an interception, so play is “re-run” with same results, and Forney intercepts. More “back-and-forths” with some strange calls and a decision not to go for a field goal. North holds, but backs are up to goal. They are twice “stood up” for a Rabbit safety and 2 points added to make it 15—7, with Rabbits to receive.
For the rest of the game, it appears both teams might score again more than once, but neither does! Finally, after valiant runs and tackles by both teams, the Rabbits smash into the North quarterback and separate him from the ball; Rabbits have the ball near the goal, but with good sportsmanship “take a knee” and let the clock “run out.”
FINAL SCORE: 15—7, Rabbits on top, but not before having to “play their hearts out” to the very end to hold off the “very game” Falcons of North Forney.
Our night at the stadium ends with a nice visit with Melanie Bragg Everett/husband, then a decision to go home to eat and not fight the traffic to a restaurant! We had a great time, and hope both teams go “undefeated” the rest of the way!
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