Schools & Sports

**Headline on page one top—North Forney makes playoff berth! A sub-headline stated that “Falcons defeat Mabank, 12—11, Nov. 5 with late-game scoring play.” Quarterback Stephen Buckley led the Falcons on an 11-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that “will live in the memories of Falcons fans forever.”

Growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s and “loving” BASEBALL, I, like so many of my relatives and friends, had a favorite baseball team and favorite players, mainly from that team. When Houston fielded the “Colt ‘45s,” I had to split my allegiance with the new Texas team, but until then, I was an “All-Yankees” boy!

The Pirates came into Saturday afternoon energized and ready to play after taking off the past two weeks due to COVID-19 related issues. Excitement was in the air for it being homecoming week and the Pirates’ first district game of the season. Also brewing for another generation was the renewed rivalry between the Jackrabbits and Pirates dating back to the 3A days of both teams in the 1990s & early 2000s.

After restructuring the district schedule, including dividing the district into two, four team zones, due to cancellations caused by positive Covid-19 cases at several schools, the North Forney Falcons found themselves travelling east to take on the Sulphur Springs Wildcats in a Zone B game last Friday night. After defeating the Wildcats 70-13 in the final game of the 2019 season, the Falcons leaned on their defense in another blowout win, a 56-21 victory that moved their overall record to 5-0 and, more importantly, gave them a 1-0 record zone play.

The Forney Jackrabbits and the Crandall Pirates did their best on Halloween afternoon to imitate a “Rocky” movie. The last 4 overtimes looked like two prize fighters standing toe to toe, exchanging blows until the final bell.

Forney High School and North Forney High School swim teams competed against Irving ISD and DeSoto swim teams Saturday, October 24 at North Lake College Aquatic Center. The Jackrabbits and Falcons outscored the other teams earning a combined 561 points. DeSoto and Irving earned 26 and 12 points respectively.

Today, we will take one last look at F. H. S. and Forney Grammar School 60 years ago. I had someone last week tell me, “Themer, that can’t be 60 years ago; I remember it like it was yesterday!” Yes, that somebody is older than I am, but not by too much!

All photos by BLANCA LESTER

2020-2021 Forney High School Varsity Cheer

I recently celebrated the 20th Anniversary of my 50th Birthday Anniversary and received many (too many to enumerate) wonderful presents, but I will tell about one, which I enjoyed on Oct. 20, 2020, the exact day I was born in 1950—attending the opening game of the 2020 World Series, compliments of the Will, Holley, and Kherington Themer family.

North Forney High School, like all districts in North Texas, has been faced with various challenges in this new COVID-19 era. But the real test of their resolve came when it was announced that the scheduled Homecoming football game against the Crandall High Pirates was canceled when Crandall’s team had to undergo quarantine. In “true north” fashion, though, the Falcons persevered and formulated a new plan to celebrate Homecoming and crown the 2020 Homecoming King and Queen. The week was filled with themed days and culminated with a HOCO Rally/Showcase Friday night at City Bank Stadium.

Photo credit: Rebecca Butler

Photo credit: Madd Sports Photography