~The Commerce Journal is a community newspaper holdings, inc. (cnhi) Newspaper ©1999 all rights reserved.~
Dennis Mason
The defending Class 3A state champion Commerce Tigers enter their toughest game Friday
night as they face off against the Jackrabbits of Forney. The winner of Friday's game at
Jackrabbit Stadium should decide the district champion of class 11-3A. Forney, at
5-3 overall and 3-0 in district play, is in second place in district behind Commerce. This
is the first time in more than two decades that Commerce and Forney are in the same
district.
Forney, lead by runningback DeBrayan Blanton, was picked as the favorite in 11-3A in the
coaches' preseason poll. Just like Commerce, the Jackrabbits graduated most of their
starters. Starters from a team that went 10-1 last season. Jackrabbit runningback DeBrayan
Blanton rushed for 253 yards on 18 carries in Forney's 33-7 victory over Bonham last
Friday. The 6-0, 165 pound Blanton turned many heads last season with his 2,035
all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns last year. In last Friday's game Forney scored in the
first three quarters for their 33 points. The Jackrabbits will try to repeat their
performance, but the one thing that could hold them back is line depth. Except for 6-3,
250-pound defensive lineman David Ross, there is little experience that surrounds him.
The Tigers go into Friday's game undefeated and hungry for their second consecutive state
championship. The 8th-state ranked Tigers achieved their fifth shutout of the year with a
38-0 homecoming victory over Royse City last Friday at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers'
defense should have no problem with Forney runningback Blanton. Commerce's defense has not
allowed a runningback to rush over 100 yards in a game this season. In the shutout victory
over Royse City, the Tigers' defense held the Bulldogs to just 73 total yards and only
three first downs. Tigers' defense has allowed only 42 points scored in eight games this
season. Commerce runningbacks combined for 320 rushing yardsincluding two rushing
touchdowns by Larry Hatley and Shawn Droddy.
Commerce could make it another perfect season if they can get by Forney. Forney and
winless Princeton stand in Commerce's way. Don't be surprised if a team that most
preseason polls picked to finish second in district wins it all.
| Main Page || News || Obits || Staff || Subscribe || Links |