Harker Heights faced an uphill climb Friday night and nearly trekked its way to the peak.
Down by 25 at halftime against Forney in a Class 6A Division II area-round playoff, the Knights erased the deficit and twice led in the fourth quarter before ultimately falling heartbreakingly short, 48-44, inside Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield.
The narrow defeat ended the Knights’ 2025 season with a 9-3 record, which included a fourth consecutive District 12-6A championship and the program’s first bi-district title since 2022.
The Jackrabbits (10-2), led by standout running back Javian Osborne, a Notre Dame pledge who scored five rushing touchdowns in the game, advanced to play Willis (10-2) in the 6A-II Region II semifinals.
After the back-and-forth battle, HHHS head coach Mark Humble congratulated his players, reminding them that, because of their hard work, commitment to the team and high-character, they are champions no matter what.
The Knights certainly left behind evidence of that Friday night.
More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720330475172/
Heights capped their first possession of the second half with a 19-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Hudson Humble and Ryan Taylor to make it 35-16 after an incomplete 2-point try.
The Knights were back in business after Ignacio Hernandez pounced on the ensuing onside kick, and they cashed in the break with Taylor’s 20-yard TD catch that pulled Heights within 35-22.
Jaylen Mason plowed into the end zone from 1-yard out on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 35-29 before the Knights sideline and fans truly went into a frenzy when Jordan Loney recovered a fumble in the end zone on the kickoff to suddenly put the Knights ahead 36-35 with 11:50 left in the fourth quarter.
Osborne’s 21-yard TD run about 2 minutes later helped the Jackrabbits regain the lead, 41-36. It was short-lived, however. The Knights’ Arshawn Spann returned the kickoff for a touchdown and just like that HHHS was back in front, 44-41, following a 2-point conversion pass between Humble and Taylor.
Osborne’s final rushing TD proved to be the game winner, when the Knights final possession of the contest ended at the Forney 21-yard line following a sack and fumble that was recovered by the Jackrabbits with 1:48 remaining.
Prior to the scintillating second half, it was slow going for the Knights on offense and defense –– much like it was for the HHHS band, dance and cheer teams, and many fans who were stuck in traffic en route on Interstate 35.
After Kristian Nobles’ 26-yard TD catch for the Knights tied it at 7-all in the first quarter, Forney outscored Harker Heights 28-3 into the break.
Corey McMillan had an interception and Oakley Goins made a 38-yard field goal for the Knights in the first half.