Team Makes Community Proud

Don Purdum
Post Editor

November 17, 2008

The 2008 FHS football team exceeded all expectations in 2008, completing the regular season with a 9-1 record, and earning a playoff birth for the first time since joining the 4A class.

This season, the team was the pride of Forney. All over town people discussed and talked about the previous game, the next game, and everything in between, and at homecoming the team was applauded and cheered by the community as their float came down Bois D’Arc and Main Street.

It was a special season for a town in want of a special team.

On Friday night, the team met Waco-Midway in the first round of the playoffs. The day had been full of celebrations, first visiting Crosby Elementary in a pep rally. According to Crosby Principal Justin Vercher, “the team came out and encouraged the younger kids, talked about leadership, and doing the right things. It was a great experience for our students.”

The school day ended with a pep rally at the High School, and players were clearly excited to be playing at least one more game.

By the time kickoff came around at 7:30 p.m. in Midlothian, the wind was gusting and the air was cold. Fans packed the home side of the stadium with blankets and winter attire in anticipation of kickoff.

The first half of the first quarter did not disappoint, with both team’s defenses playing very well, forcing punts on opening drives.

However, after that it went downhill for the Jackrabbits. For the first half, Forney had only 64 yards of total offense.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the score was 35-0, Waco-Midway.

Waco-Midway was a much larger team, with an offensive line averaging over 300 lbs., and their defense appeared bigger, stronger, and faster than any opponent saw all season.

However, the Jackrabbits fought hard and never gave up.

They got their first points on the board when Kezie Camp received a screen pass from Quarterback Blake Branton and took it 65 yards for the touchdown.

A few minutes later, with 1:42 remaining in the game, Running Back Peter Smith ran in a touchdown from eight yards out.

Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. The final score was Waco-Midway 35, Forney 12.

Though this team lost, it takes nothing away from an outstanding season!

After the game, Coach Kevin Rush said to his team, “You have nothing to be ashamed of!”

Not only did this team win District, and make the playoffs, they had outstanding statistics. Peter Smith rushed for over 2,000 yards and recorded twenty-six touchdowns, and Branton ran for 1,036 yards and fifteen touchdowns. Together, they rushed for over 3,000 yards and scored 41 touchdowns on the season. Additionally, Kezie Camp had 400 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Football is a team sport, and none of the individual stats or wins would be possible without the play of the offensive line, led by center Taylor Gideon.

Defensively, it was thought this area of the team would be the weakest in the beginning of the season. But the defense improved each week as the season went along. Kellen Kopher and Leslie Booker anchored the linebacking core, while Bo Gipson had a solid season at cornerback, making a number of key interceptions in big games.

Congratulations to the Seniors, and all of the team, on a great season!

This team’s legacy ought to be that they were something special to build on for future teams.