Forney dominates Muleshoe, 41-17, as Blanton gains 164 yards

12/16/2000

By Richard Durrett / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING – There wasn't anything complicated or unpredictable about Forney's game plan Friday night at Texas Stadium.

Forney's offense just gave the football to running back DaBryan Blanton, and Forney's defense forced four turnovers and didn't allow Muleshoe's (14-1) main offensive weapon, running back Danny Ramirez, any room to run.

The result was a dominating 41-17 victory in a Class 3A, Division II semifinal, which gives Forney (11-4) a chance to win its first state title next weekend against the winner of Marlin and La Grange, who play at 1 p.m Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium.

Blanton, a junior, finished the game with 164 yards on 21 carries and had three touchdowns. Blanton accounted for 78 percent of Forney's total offense in the first half, as he gained 149 yards on 15 carries before the first 24 minutes were over. In fact, Blanton touched the ball on 15 of Forney's 21 offensive plays to help Forney to a 17-3 halftime lead.

"I want the ball as many times as I can get it," Blanton said. "When I get it, I just want to run as long and hard as I can."

Forney's defense held Ramirez, who had averaged just over 200 yards rushing per playoff game, to only 77 yards on 21 carries. The defense also forced four turnovers, including a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior Daniel Arden early in the third quarter that ended any chance Muleshoe had at gaining momentum. The defensive score gave Forney a 24-3 lead, and Muleshoe never threatened to get back in the game.

"Our defensive coaches had a great plan," Forney coach Mel Maxfield said. "Our kids are very flexible with adjustments, and we did a good job."

Forney's offense gained 323 yards, 266 of that on the ground.

Most of the rushing yardage belonged to Blanton, who made sure Forney got in front for good in the first half. His best offensive play of the night was his first touchdown run. Blanton caught the pitch from quarterback C.J. Tomlinson and found a hole in the right side. He made a cut at the 30-yard line and raced 41 yards across the field to the left corner of the end zone to give Forney a 7-0 lead.

On Forney's next possession, Blanton found a seam in the middle of Muleshoe's defensive front and scampered 21 yards. That set up his own 7-yard sprint to the end zone, which gave Forney a 14-0 lead. After Muleshoe made a field goal, Forney answered to take a 17-3 lead at halftime.

As difficult as things were on the ground for Muleshoe, Forney's secondary didn't allow quarterback Lincoln Riley much room in the passing lanes. Riley was picked off three times and was 5-for-12 passing for 94 yards.

Muleshoe did manage to move the ball on the ground in the second half with senior fullback Darrell Lewis, who gained 122 yards on 11 carries.

"It's exciting for the program to be playing for a state title," Maxfield said. "We just seem to get better each week and we're working hard."