Forney cools Van In 31-6 game
By Jimmy Shepard, Staff Writer
Terrell Tribune
Sunday, 4 November 1973, Page 7
FORNEY – On a cool uneventful evening Friday night in Jackrabbit Stadium the only thing that happened was that the “Wild Bunch” gave up the grand total of six points. For the first time in three games the opposing team crossed the double stripe against this outstanding defensive team. It took this drive by the Van Vandals to jar the Rabbits out of their early game doldrums and bring them back to the reality of what they have to do to get of district and into the playoffs. The final tally of 31-6 tells nothing of the story of the ball game.
This is a team of individuals who play together for one goal, the closest to perfection that can be obtained from the God-given talents that are at hand. Friday night from the start it was Ronnie Pittmon’s time for the plaudits. In his night’s work, he garnered 151 yards on the ground, scored three touchdowns and intercepted one pass. This was with the support of all his teammates.
Dusty Webb, a young man who has improved beyond a doubt with each game to become one of the best defensive ends in the district along with Larry Runnels at the other slot. Willie B. Thomas, a linebacker unparalleled in this conference, and the rest of the “Wild Bunch” limited a hefty Vandal team offensive effort to a total of minus 30 yards on the ground and only 116 yards through the air. Like a well oiled machine, this defensive eleven gets better with more mileage and experience. In the last three games, they have allowed a total of six points while the offensive cowarts have scored a total of 101. This is spelled defense, Forney style.
Big Steve Collier returned to the warfare this night by getting the Rabbits on the scoreboard first by the unconventional way of kicking a field goal 27 yards out and with 3:31 left in the first period the Rabbits were out in front by 3-0. With 7:09 left in the second the Vandals did what no other has done lately and scored from 9 yards out on a pass from Tommy Whiteside to Tim McFarlin. The PAT was no good, but the score still read 6-1 in favor of the Vandals. Pittmon solved this problem after the kickoff by going 65 yards between right tackle and end for the score and the rout was on. Recovering a fumble on the Van 29 yard line set up another Rabbit TD scored by Robert Runnels from 22 yards out on a scamper around right end on the option. Pittmon finished the first half scoring by bolting 35 yards through the same hole for the final six points of the half.
The Rabbits Friday night suited up a group of the JV’s and for the first time since I can remember we looked like we had an entire team on the sidelines. Playing the younger set almost the entire second half except for the defense, the Rabbits put up a creditable performance. With “Mr. Pitt” in the backfield the Rabbits scored with 4:18 left in the third quarter and the final tally was reached. The Rabbits experimented for almost the entire second half and one had to like what they saw. The team gives up nothing without a fight. They are one and play as one.
By the finalization of the night’s scores the games that remain will carry the same meanings as last year. This time we will carry the same meanings as last year. This time we will be more than ready because this team for the most part has had one year to live with what happened to them on the field at Rockwall and we cannot afford to go into that game less than in a tie for first.
Statistics:
Special thanks to Tony Jackson for providing this article.
