Schools & Sports

After a two-year absence from the playoffs, the MaxPreps #5 state-ranked (5A-DII) North Forney Falcons faced off against the #11 Denison Yellowjackets in a round one (bi-district) playoff game last

Don’t get me wrong; I was not a Boston Celtic fan, except for the times I watched with my Dad, because he really admired Bob Cousy and because he had watched a Celtic game or two in Madison Square Garden during the mid-1940s on a lay-over while on the way to “overseas WWII.” Oh, yeah, and we both liked watching the old coach, Red Auerbach, light up his “victory cigar.”

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will have four short films featured in this year’s virtual Wild Texas Film Tour starting on Dec. 1. The films spotlight experimental paddlefish stocking in Caddo Lake, Black Skimmers along the Texas Coast, research surrounding the Swift Fox in the Panhandle Plains and the diverse bayou habitats throughout the city of Houston.

It’s once again time to think about Christmas gifts for sportsmen/women on your shopping list. I can guarantee you that those of us that love spending time in the outdoors would relish a gift that we can use in our outdoor lifestyle but choosing the ‘perfect’ gift can be a daunting task. First, it’s obviously important to decide what ‘type’ gift will work best. For fishermen, there is a vast array of baits, rod and reels, and myriad accessories to make their time on the water more enjoyable, likewise with the hunter on your shopping list. If your outdoors person enjoys the entire outdoor experience, your choice of gifts is almost overwhelming. Hopefully these tips from someone who spends a great deal of time in the outdoors will help you choose the perfect gift.

They are coming to our area in 2021 and 2022, according to their publicists. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) made public the Panther City Lacrosse Club and its team colors— black, purple, red, and gray.

Forney, Texas – The Forney High School Band completed the month of November by winning a number of awards at various competitions across the North Texas area on their way to winning the Area Championship.

Saturday, November 28, 2020—**Did you notice that a female “kicker” became part of the Vanderbilt Football Squad, at least for one game?** Interesting scores posted this day: Trophy Club Byron Nelson 10-7-3-7—27 over Keller 7-0- 10-7—24; McKinney Boyd 7-7-0-0—14 over McKinney 0-7-0-0—7; Waco Midway 3-7-0-14—24 over Mansfield Lake Ridge 6-7-0-7—20; Waxahachie 0-9-7-3—19 over Waco 0-15-0-0—15; Celina 7-20-8-7—42 over Iowa Park 10-7-0-7—24; Gilmer 7-15-7-2—31 over Sunnyvale 0-7-7-0—14; Allen 7-0-7-21—35 over Prosper 7-3-7-14—31; Flower Mound Marcus 21-14-7-16—58 over Lewisville 7-21-10-0—38.

The Pirates had one more game to compete in before this wild and unprecedented season came to an end. Crandall was lucky enough to be able and play eight out of their ten games on the schedule. Unfortunately, they missed out on the playoffs, losing to Ennis and Royse City in the pool they were in. The team still came out on Friday night with a will to win and send the Pirate seniors out on a high note.

With district standings and playoff positions already locked in, last Thursday’s game against the Royse City Bulldogs was billed as a playoff prep game against the third best team in District 8-5A (II). However, as has happened so many times this season, the Falcons combined their power run game with a dominant defensive performance to blow out the Bulldogs, 43-14.

Both of Forney ISD’s high school marching bands, the Forney High School Band and the Pride of Falcon Nation, represented the district in the UIL Region 3 Marching Contest recently. The competition was held at Mesquite Memorial Stadium on November 18. With near-perfect shows, the Falcons and the Jackrabbits each received first division ratings for their performances! Straight superior ratings from all judges also earned the Forney High School Band the ability to advance to the UIL Area C Championships on December 5th.

I remember the year (1980) so well; I was enjoying my 8th year of being an educator in F. I. S. D. and knew all the football-associated participants—and some of them very well, since quite a few had been “little kids” when I was a “big kid” in Forney, Texas. Many of the players on that football team had been playing together “forever,” and most were “pretty salty,” as my Dad liked to say about people who were “good” at doing something. And it seemed that year that just about all the folks who had active parts in leading on or cheering on the team were also “cream-of-thecrop” types!

Both Crandall and Sulphur Springs came into Friday night’s game knowing that they were eliminated from playoff contention. That didn’t stop both teams from preparing all week and putting up a crazy number of yards on offense. There wasn’t much defense in this game as it was an all-out assault in the air and on the ground.

The eyes of the Texas high school football world were upon City Bank Stadium last Thursday night as the state #1-ranked Ennis Lions (7-0) traveled to town to meet the area #7-ranked North Forney Falcons (7-1) in the District 8-5A (D2) championship game.