FORNEY - "We weren't keying that first half . . . we were making a lot of simple mistakes. Then, after the half, we came back and did a real good job."

Forney Coach Johnnie Henderson had this opinion after his top-ranked Jackrabbits, holding only a one-point margin at intermission, exploded for three touchdown in the final periods Friday night to take a 26-6 victory over the Seagoville Dragons of District 11-AA.

The 'Rabbits, of District 14-A, are rated the state's number one team in that division.

But for awhile, they didn't look it.

Seagoville, with quarterback David Morris doing most of the damage, scored the second time it got its hands on the ball. Morris lofted a 33-yard bomb to end Leon Allen for the big yardage in the 69-yard drive, then notched the tally on a 6-yard sweep.

Phillip Curd's kick tumbled along at shoetop level, but Seagoville had a 6-0 lead with 4:05 to go in the first period.

Forney tied it up, then went ahead to stay with 4:08 remaining in the second frame. The Jackrabbits mounted their first real march about midway of the quarter and, with fullback Larry Bush delivering on crucial third downs, stormed 56 yards in 10 plays.

Bush got the score on a 1-yard plunge. Thomas Cheney booted the conversion, and Forney moved to a 7-6 lead at the half.

From then on, it was Forney all the way.

The 'Rabbits opened the third stanza by scooting 67 yards in a 19-play drive, with Bush again consistently delivering on the big third down. Cheney blasted across for the final yard, and Forney owned a 13-6 edge with 4:19 to go in the third.

They stretched the margin on the final play of the period. And it was Bush, crashing straight down the middle, who shook off five would-be tacklers and sprinted 46 yards for the score.

Forney's final touchdown came on a 65-yard pass intercept - and run back by quarterback Dale Penny. Penny snared the aerial - it went from Dragon quarterback Donnie Dowlearn and was intended for Allen - then cut to the sidelines, picked up two good blocks, and was 10 yards in the clear as he scored.

The jaunt came with 4:17 remaining. Cheney kicked the points, and with their first win under their belts, the Jackrabbits were off and running.

Henderson, the Forney coach, had high praise for Bush, guards George Hughes and Gary Whittemore, and tackle Don Morrison. He also admitted he was "surprised" by Morris, the Dragon quarterback.

"We weren't expecting that good a boy," Henderson said. "He did a fine job."

Morris, injured early in the fourth quarter, was taken from the field in an ambulance. Officials at Baylor Hospital said extent of his injuries have not been determined.

"Losing Morris hurt us of course," said Seagoville Coach Joe Scott. "But on the whole I was well pleased with how our boys came through. Forney has an outstanding team, and they have the size and the experience. If they're not the state champions in 1-A, they're at least strong contenders.