Forrest’s Jacob Tincher races past defenders on a kickoff return for a touchdown against Sequatchie County. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL — The Forrest Rockets (4-2, 0-1) opened Friday night’s contest on fire, but a determined Sequatchie County (4-2, 2-0) squad answered back and pulled away in the second half to hand Forrest a 54-35 defeat.
Forrest wasted little time striking first.
Just two minutes into the game, quarterback Micah Morgan punched it into the end zone on a keeper.
Moments later, after Chandler Schnapp recovered a Sequatchie fumble, Quincy Mitchell barreled into the end zone to give the Rockets a 14-0 lead.
The Indians clawed back with a long run from Britt Chadwick, but on the ensuing kickoff Jacob Tincher amped up the Rocket sideline with a touchdown return, pushing the advanta
Forrest’s Isai Garcia boots a field goal to keep the Rockets within striking distance of the Indians. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
ge to 20-6.
Sequatchie’s big-play offense soon answered.
Quarterback Hunter Minton found the end zone through the air, and early in the second quarter Kason Hicks tied the game at 20 on a 13-yard run.
The Indians then caught Forrest off guard with a successful onside kick, capitalizing with another score to take their first lead at 27-20.
Forrest settled for a short field goal by Isai Garcia, but Sequatchie County continued to pound the ground game.
Back-to-back rushing scores stretched the margin to 33-23 late in the half before Mitchell’s one-yard plunge with seven seconds left pulled Forrest within 33-29 at the break.
After halftime, Sequatchie seized control for good.
Hicks opened the third quarter with a touchdown run, and Chadwick powered in from two yards out to extend the lead to 47-29.
Morgan’s second rushing touchdown briefly gave Forrest hope late in the quarter, but a costly interception on the next drive halted the Rockets’ momentum.
The Indians added one more score early in the fourth, a touchdown pass to Gowan Brown, to cap their offensive outburst.
The Rockets moved the ball into Sequatchie territory twice more, with Morgan connecting on several key passes to Isaac Cruse, but penalties and turnovers kept Forrest from closing the gap.
The Rockets will look to bounce back next week as they host the Community Vikings for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Sequatchie Co. 12 21 14 7 — 54
Forrest 20 9 6 0 — 35
First Quarter
F — Micah Morgan 15 run (kick failed), 10:00.
F — Quincy Mitchell 38 run (Morgan run), 8:50.
SC — Britt Chadwick 59 run (run failed), 6:26.
F — Jacob Tincher kick return (kick failed), 6:14.
SC — Hunter Minton pass to Gowan Brown (kick failed), 5:31.
Second Quarter
S — Kason Hicks 13 run (Hicks run), 8:31.
S — Minton 34 run (Colton Armstrong kick), 7:50.
F — Isai Garcia field goal, 3:41.
S — Hicks 9 run (run failed), 2:01.
F — Mitchell 1 run (kick failed), 0:07.
Third Quarter
SC — Hicks 11 run (Armstrong kick), 10:11.
SC — Chadwick 2 run (kick), 2:25.
F — Morgan 10 run (run failed), 0:15.
Fourth Quarter
SC — Minton pass to Brown (Armstrong kick), 11:12.