The Jackrabbits are off to their best start since moving from Class 3A to 4A five years ago. The Jackrabbits beat the powerful McKinney North Bulldogs 36 to 29 in a hard fought game that went down to the wire. Kezie Camp's interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbits jumped off to a fast start scoring just 3:59 into the 1st quarter on a 11 yard run by Quarterback Blake Branton. McKinney North answered to tie the score at 7 to 7 at 5:47 in the 1st quarter. The Jackrabbits stormed back with Peter Smith scoring on a 4 yard run with 2:15 left in the 1st. At 10:18 in the 2nd quarter the Bulldogs tied the score at 14 to 14. The Jackrabbits wasted no time in scoring their next touchdown on a 22 yard run by Peter Smith at 9:03 in the quarter. The PAT failed and the Jackrabbits held a 20 -14 lead. Later with 4:19 left in the half the Jackrabbits scored again on a 19 yard run by Blake Branton. The try for a 2 point conversion failed. At the end of the half the Jackrabbits held a 26 - 14 lead.
The Bulldogs scored a touchdown in the 3rd quarter to narrow the margin to 26 - 21. The Jackrabbits scored on a 34 yard Field Goal by Tucker Burke giving the Jackrabbits an 8 point lead. Going into the 4th quarter the Jackrabbits held a 29 to 21 lead. Blake Branton scored his 3rd touchdown of the night on a 16 yard run. Tucker Burke's kick was good and the Jackrabbits went up 36 to 21. The Bulldogs later scored and were successful on their 2 point try cutting the score to 36 to 29. The Bulldogs were driving late in the game but Bo Gipson sealed the Bulldogs fate by intercepting Griffin in the end zone.
Peter Smith racked up his 3rd consecutive 200+ yard game, rushing for 250 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. Blake Branton rushed for 122 yards scoring 3 touchdowns and completed 7 of 10 passes for 100 yards. The offensive line did an outstanding job again protecting Branton and opening gaping holes for Peter Smith to run through. On defense Camp and Hartwick were outstanding. On special teams Netherly made a huge hit in the first half on a kick-off. The Jackrabbits only punted once in the game.
Josh Matthews rushed for 173 yards and scored two TDs to lead McKinney North.
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Final
McKinney North
7
7
7
8
29
Forney
14
12
3
7
36
Scoring
Forney - Blake Branton 11 run (Tucker Burke kick)
McKinney - Josh Matthews 2 run (Bryson Long kick)
Forney - Peter Smith 4 run (Tucker Burke kick)
McKinney - Josh Allen 19 pass from Breton Griffin (Long kick)
