by BOB SAX
and
KATHY WHITHROW
Special Correspondents to the Forney Messenger

The FHS Varsity Soccer Rabbits continued to struggle for scoring against quality opponents, losing to the Kaufman Lions 1-0 in a shoot out and also 1-0 to the Poteet Pirates last week.

Tuesday, February 24 saw our heroes travel to Kaufman to take on the Lions.  The Rabbits were the immediate aggressors, making crisp passes and moving into Lion territory at will. But as has unfortunately been the case during district play lately, none of the Rabbits’ chances turned into goals.  The horn for half-time sounded with a 0-0 tie.

The second half brought a little more sense of urgency to the contest, as both teams pressed hard for a score.  Rabbit defender Luis Berumen made another one of his patented last-ditch saves as a Kaufman strike almost crossed the goal line.  The Lions had a good front line that made for tense play for the FHS backliners.  The Rabbits overall probably had the better of the play, but regulation time ended with neither team putting up a mark.  

Each team sent their best marksmen to the penalty spot for the shootout.  But as fate would have it, none of the Rabbit shooters connected and the Lions found the net twice for the victory.  The FHS defense had indeed played another fantastic game, but to no avail.

The Rabbits traveled to meet the Poteet Pirates in an unusual Saturday afternoon encounter on February 28.  Cold and breezy conditions made for tough sledding as the Pirates had the wind at their back in the first half.  They put 7 shots on goal but Rabbit keeper Austin Walker was more than up to the task as nary a one found the mark. He had a little help from Luis Berumen, who again saved a sure goal, and a Pirate offsides call negated another score.  FHS forward Chase Withrow picked up a rebound that Tucker Burke had rattled off the Poteet keeper’s knees, but put his shot over the woodwork.  The half ended scoreless, with the Rabbits looking forward to having the considerable wind at their backs in the next period.

The second half held much promise as the Rabbits forced 2 corner kicks and put 4 shots on goal.  The play was quite spirited as 4 yellow cards were handed out.  Rabbit midfielder John McClain will have to miss a game due to yellow card accumulation. In the 54th minute, one of the fleeter Poteet forwards found a seam through the middle of the FHS defense and put his foot into a screamer that found the mark for a 1-0 Pirate lead.  Rabbit keeper Austin Walker really had no chance on that one, as it was just him and the Poteet forward. 192 square feet is a lot to cover in that circumstance!  Try as they might, the Rabbits could not penetrate for a score the rest of the way as the Pirates went into a prevent defense.  Final score:  1-0 Poteet.

Next up: the West Mesquite Wranglers in Mesquite.  JV at 5:30 p. m., Varsity at 7.