No. 19 Waxahachie stonewalls Forney ahead of 11-6A opener

By Travis M. Smith | Ellis County Sports

WAXAHACHIE — Sure, the state-ranked Waxahachie Indians are not technically 3-0 to start the football season. Because, technically, the week two road tilt against Coppell was ultimately deemed a no-contest following two lightning delays to the opening kickoff and a third after the teams broke for the halftime locker room.

Friday night’s home opener at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium was a defensive technical class, as the (2-0) Indians stonewalled the (2-1) Forney Jackrabbits, 35-14 in the Tribe’s final non-district tune-up.

Forney entered the game undefeated after averaging 230 rushing yards over its first two games (Lake Highlands, A&M Consolidated). The Jackrabbits had a hard time escaping the den against the Indians, rushing for just 110 yards on 27 carries (4.0 YPC). Senior running back Javion Osborne was held to 90 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Forney’s leading rusher in the game and on the season had torched opposing defenses for back-to-back 100-yard games and six touchdowns (414 yards) over the first two weeks.

The Indians ultimately outgained their visitors 474 total yards to 290 and recovered a second-half fumble for the game’s lone takeaway. Forney gained just 5 first-half first downs.

Through two-and-a-half games, the Indian defense has already reached double-digit sacks and quarterback hurries. That same unit has also registered 28 tackles-for-loss — that’s nearly 3 TFL a quarter.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED ABOUT THE TRIBE OFFENSE

The Indian offense had its way with Ennis in the season-opening Battle-of-287 showdown, combining for 486 total yards in the 44-13 win. The final score and dominance in the 104th meeting of the historic rivalry were almost identical to the 2024 results (WHS 42-14). Waxahachie now leads the all-time series 52-50-2, having outscored the Lions 156-45 over the past four Shane Tolleson-led seasons.

The momentum did not carry to week two on the road against Coppell. Waxahachie sputtered on offense throughout the first half, ultimately being outgained 159 yards to just 68. Meyer III completed 6-of-his-12 passes for 42 yards and threw his first interception of the season. Coppell didn’t exactly fare much better against the Tribe defense, though a few big plays in the passing game helped quarterback Carter Zingelmann to a first-half passing line of 7-for-11 with 114 yards and one touchdown (Jacob Anene, 29 yards).

Waxahachie led 14-13 when the game was declared a no-contest with the teams inside the locker room for the halftime break.

Friday’s first half against Forney was quite different, however. The Indian offense, led by Meyer III, Taylen Furlough-Strange and Kohen Brown, outpaced the Jackrabbits 255 total yards to 132.  

The Waxahachie quarterback completed 10-of-his-19 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown. Kohen Brown was on the receiving end of the touchdown pass, grabbing 3 first-half passes for 81 yards. Indian running back Fulough-Strange led all rushers at the break with 13 carries for 64 yards.

Neither team committed a turnover in the first two quarters. There were, however, a combined 16 penalties for 140 yards (WHS 10-75, FHS 6-65).

Waxahachie led 14-7 at the half, though most on the home side of Lumpkins Stadium will likely argue that Brown crossed the goal line on the final play of the half for what should’ve been his second touchdown reception and a two-score lead.

Brown and Meyer III did eventually get that second touchdown connection when the junior signal caller connected with the University of Texas-commit for a 38-yard score with 5:10 to play in the third quarter. It was the second drive of the second half for the Indian offense that also scored on its first third-quarter possession when Meyer III found sophomore running back Jordan Smith for a 22-yard touchdown.

The Forney offense took one final meaningful gasp with Waxahachie leading 28-14 late in the third quarter.

On the fourth play of the Forney drive, senior defensive back Kamurian Nelms had what would’ve been his first interception of the season, and an impressive return deep into Jackrabbit territory was wiped out by an Indian personal foul. The flag, which was one of only 3 in the second half, set up Forney with a first down at the Waxahachie 30-yard line. The Tribe defense ultimately forced a punt and took over at its own 16 with 1:26 to play in the third quarter.

Waxahachie added one final score, but it took Furlough-Strange picking up 15 yards on fourth-and-1 at the Forney 32 with just over 2 minutes to play in the contest to set it up. The sophomore back took the handoff, broke to the outside toward the Indian sideline and bruised his way to the 17-yard line. Smith saw the success of his backfield mate on the outside and followed suit to score on the ensuing snap to seal the Waxahachie 35-14 victory with 1:56 to play. The drive covered 53 yards over 10 plays and ate a few ticks more than 5 minutes off the game clock.

Meyer III completed 15-of-his-27 passes for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. The early TCU-commit has now thrown for 548 yards and 6 touchdowns (1 INT) on 42-of-73 passing (57.5%) over the Indians’ 2.5 games.

Brown (141yds, 2TD) and Strange (140yds) both crossed their respective 100-yard receiving and rushing platues for the second time this season. Smith finished with 2 total touchdowns and 96 combined total yards (46 rushing).

Forney had 158 total yards in the second half.

UP NEXT

A 6A top-20 showdown against Duncanville is how the Indians will once again start their run through the “District of Doom.”

Unlike in years past, however, the Panthers enter having played just 1 game — a 35-28 victory against 5A South Oak Cliff on Sept. 5.

Friday will almost certainly decide if the Indians carry their own fate toward any potential district championship, outright or otherwise. The outcome will also very likely determine if the Indians are a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the 6A Division I playoffs.

The only two schools in 11-6A with a higher enrollment than Waxahachie (3,151.5 students) are Duncanville (4,710.5, 6th largest in UIL) and Dallas Skyline (3,775). The Skyline Raiders have won just 4 district games over the past 3 seasons (4-17) and have not finished higher than 6th.

What all of that means in layman’s terms is that, unless Skyline makes an unexpected run through the 11-6A gauntlet, Waxahachie will represent the district alongside Duncanville in the 6A DI playoffs should both programs qualify. The only question would be seeding.

Kickoff between No. 2 Duncanville and No. 19 Waxahachie is slated for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium.

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