Town Rallies Around Its Stricken Players

Like other small Texas towns, everyone knows when something happens in this community of 4,200 - especially when it involves the high school football team.

So it was no surprise that Forney residents rallied immediately after a lightning bolt struck a practice field Tuesday, critically injuring a 15-year-old and sending 12 others to hospitals.

Some went to the school to comfort and console students. Others, including Superintendent Chester St. Clair, made the 20-mile drive west to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas to support the friends and family of those who were hurt.

“Forney is a small town, we’re really supportive,” said Jennifer Lawrence, a 17-year-old drill team member at the high school.

“If you’re not from there, it’s kind of hard to understand how it is. Once something happens to someone, everyone supports, everyone helps.”

About 100 varsity and junior varsity players began working out Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Forney High, home of the sixth-ranked Class 3A Jackrabbits.

“We were just running and all of a sudden there was a big boom,” said Matt Donnell, 15, a junior varsity player.

Clay Jones, a junior varsity player was hit in the head by the bolt and was listed in critical condition Wednesday.

Another player was listed in serious condition and two others were stable at Baylor, nursing coordinator Lydia Medina said. Seven others taken to the hospital were treated and released, she said.