The Forney Jackrabbits upset the Pearce Mustangs 30 – 23 with a potent running attack and a punishing defense. The score was not indicative of the Jackrabbit dominance. The Mustangs (3 – 0) were ranked 3rd in the Dallas News Area rankings of Class 4A behind #1 Highland Park and #2 McKinney North. The Jackrabbits scored in the 1st quarter on a 1 yard run by Quarterback Landon Hartwick. Thomas Moreland’s kick gave the Jackrabbits an early lead that seemed to inspire the Jackrabbit defense that sacked the Mustang Quarterback more than 10 times. The Jackrabbits got a Safety at 3:51 of the 2nd quarter when the Mustang snapper sailed the ball over the punters head. After the free kick the Jackrabbits marched down the field using just 50 seconds to score their 2nd touchdown on a 12 yard scamper up the middle by Peter Smith. Thomas Moreland’s kick gave the Jackrabbits a 16 – 0 lead with 3:01 left in the half. The Jackrabbits scored again early in the 3rd quarter when Kenneth Parker recovered a fumble in the end zone. Thomas Moreland kicked the point and the Jackrabbits had a 23 – 0 lead with 10:18 left in the 3rd quarter. Later in the quarter the Jackrabbits were forced to punt from deep in their end of the field and the snap went over punter Matt McEuen’s head and he alertly picked up the ball and took a safety. With 6:20 left in the 3rd the Jackrabbits lead was cut to 23 – 2. After the free kick the Mustangs scored a touchdown on an 18 yard run by Ben Jones cutting the Jackrabbit lead to 23 – 9. The Jackrabbits responded and quickly scored on a 54 yard pass from Landon Hartwick to Braydon Maquar. Thomas Moreland kicked the point and the Jackrabbits led 30 to 9 with 1:46 left in the 3rd quarter. On the previous play the Jackrabbits were flagged for holding which had erased a great throw and catch from Hartwick to Chris Atterberry.
At this point the Mustangs put up a barrage of passes scoring on a 3 yard pass from Morse to D.J. Colvin at 2:30 left in the game and cut the Jackrabbit lead to 30 to 16. The Jackrabbits couldn’t move the ball and had to punt back to the Mustangs. The Mustangs moved the ball down field and scored on an 8 yard pass from Paul Miller to Dishon Hughes. The kick was good and with 1:01 left in the game the score was 30 to 23. The Mustangs on side kick attempt failed and the Jackrabbits ran out the clock.
The Jackrabbits out rushed the Mustangs 125 yards to 57 with Peter Smith picking up 116 yards on 25 carries. Andre DeRosier rushed the ball 3 times for 23 yards and Hartwick lost 14 yards scrambling. Pat Daugherty, J.B. Everett and Josh York dominated the Mustang run defenders opening lanes for Peter Smith to run through. Hartwick was 5 of 7 passes for 86 yards. Braydon Maquar caught 2 of Hartwick's passes for 54 yards and a touchdown and another for 5 yards. Earl Few caught 2 for 20 yards and Peter Smith caught 1 for a 7 yard loss. The Mustangs Michael Morse completed 22 of 40 for 243 yards and 1 touchdown and Paul Miller completed 4 0f 6 for 64 yards and 1 touchdown in relief of Morse who reportedly left the game with bruised ribs.The Jackrabbits pass rush was relentless and for 3 quarters battered the Mustang quarterback with more than 10 sacks. Nick Tanner, Jordan Elder, Tyler Sanders, Aaron Woods and Darnell Golsby were all over the Mustang quarterback most of the night. Clint Kiger and Kenneth Parker led the Jackrabbit defensive front that only allowed 57 yards rushing on 30 tries by the Mustangs. The Jackrabbit Special Teams were outstanding. Andre DeRosier was impressive returning punts and had a punt return for a touchdown called back by a penalty. Josh Hughes had a great kickoff return and Chad Laury also made a good runback of a kick. Kicker Thomas Moreland recorded 3 touchbacks driving the football out of the back of the end zone and Punter Matt McEuen had an outstanding game averaging 48 yards on 7 punts.
The Jackrabbits were flagged 12 times for 125 yards and the Mustangs were penalized 35 yards on 5 penalties.
After reviewing the game film there were 11 sacks and the Quarterback was hit 32 times.
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No TD
One of many bad calls. The picture clearly shows that the Pearce receiver was out of bounds at the moment the ball arrived. The official in the picture was in perfect position to make the call but didn't.
It was rumored that one of the officials was seen wearing a Homecoming Mum.
