By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
gmsportsmedia2023@gmail.com
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A year ago, Forney edged out Lake Highlands 34-30 and on Thursday night the two schools gave us another thrilling season opener. Lake Highlands recovered a late onside kick, but Forney got a game-sealing sack as the Jackrabbits opened the 2025 season with a 37-34 victory.
The Wildcats scored when Chuck Smith and Lloyd Wyatt hooked up to get them within three with 26 seconds left. They recovered the onside kick at their own 34-yard line
Both teams were tied at 7 after the first quarter.
Cadon Webb got a field goal block for Forney in the second quarter and then Javian Osborne, one of the top running backs in the nation, broke off a 57-yard TD run. Lake Highlands had blown coverage as Forney’s Bennie Williams scored from 42 yards to give the Rabbits a 21-14 lead with 4:55 left in the first half.
Lake Highlands had an incredible drive in the third quarter spanning 21 plays and nine minutes. Smith converted on fourth and 12 and then Franklon Evans scored from 7 yards. But Webb intercepted the two-point pass and took it back for Forney to gave his team a 23-20 lead.
Osborne went over 200 yards before Forney scored again on a touchdown pass and catch between Imari Jehiel and Nelson Peterson. Forney led 37-27 with 1:04 left in the game.
Forney finished 5-6 in 2024 and returns 12 total starters with seven on offense. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts the Rabbits to go #5 in District 10-6A.
DCTF has Lake Highlands #1 in District 7-6A. The Wildcats went 9-3 with an area round appearance last season. They return three offensive starters and six on defense.
