Lake Highlands dropped its season opener against Forney in a tight game at Wildcat-Ram Stadium Thursday night.
Photography by Mike Duhon.
After rain delayed the 7 p.m. kickoff, the Wildcats fell to the Jackrabbits in a 37-34 nailbiter for the second time in as many years. Lake Highlands outgained Forney by close to 100 yards on offense. However, the Wildcat gains came on significantly fewer yards per rush and carry.
SMU commit Christian Rhodes had a strong night on the ground for the Wildcats, finishing with 102 yards and a touchdown on thirteen attempts. Behind center, Highland Park transfer Chuck Smith threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns.
Forney was led by a strong performance by four-star running back Javian Osborne, who ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.Â
The Wildcats were even at 7-7 after the first quarter before falling behind 14-21 at half. Neither team scored in the third, with Lake Highlands’ 20-point scoring explosion in the fourth quarter negated by a pair of Forney touchdowns.Â
Penalties were an issue for the Wildcats, who finished with over 100 yards lost from 13 penalties.
Before the game, Lake Highlands added green heart decals to their helmets in honor of Wynne Naylor, a Lake Highlands Elementary student who was tragically killed in the catastrophic Hill Country floods over the summer.
Lake Highlands will next kick off against North Garland away from home on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
