Quincy Mitchell dodges the tackle in the first half against Watertown. Mitchell had 247 yards on the evening. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
WATERTOWN — The Forrest Rockets held off a late rally from Watertown on Friday night to earn a 35–28 region victory on the road.
Behind a powerful running game, running back Quincy Mitchell and quarterback Micah Morgan combining for 373 rushing yards, the Rockets controlled the tempo for most of the night and made key defensive stops when it mattered most.
The game was a back-and-forth contest, but Forrest’s early offensive rhythm gave them the cushion they needed to stay in control.
After building a 21–7 lead at halftime, the Rockets responded to every Watertown surge in the second half to secure the win.
Watertown opened the game with strong field position after recovering the opening kickoff on the Forrest 38-yard line, but the Rockets’ defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs after an incomplete fourth-down pass.
Forrest wasted no
Ethan Patrick celebrates after stifling a third down pass late in the fourth quarter. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
time marching down the field.
Mitchell continually moved the chains through several carries to land deep into Watertown territory, and despite a fumbled snap near the goal line, the Rockets capitalized when Morgan punched in a touchdown at the 5:54 mark of the first quarter.
The Isai Garcia extra point was good, giving Forrest a 7–0 lead.
Watertown answered early in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to senior Jesse Bratcher, tying the game at 7–7 with 10:20 remaining before halftime.
But the Rockets’ run game continued to dominate, Mitchell and Morgan keeping the offense rolling.
A holding penalty wiped out one score before Mitchell found the end zone again from four yards out at the 6:33 mark to reclaim the lead, 14–7.
After a defensive stop anchored by Braiden Bourne on a key third down, Forrest put together a long, efficient drive late in the half.
Morgan capped it with a keeper for a touchdown with just 22 seconds left, sending the Rockets into halftime up 21–7.
Watertown opened the third frame with a statement drive, scoring on a touchdown pass to Carmello Davis just minutes into the half to cut the lead to 21–14.
Forrest answered right back.
Mitchell churned out several first downs and eventually scored from the five-yard line to extend the lead to 28–14 midway through the third.
The Purple Tigers refused to go away, striking quickly on their next possession with a 28-yard touchdown pass that brought the score to 28–21.
Responding for the Rockets, Mitchell broke loose for a 24-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, putting Forrest ahead 35–21.
Watertown mounted one final push early in the fourth.
Quarterback Garrett Davis capped a sustained drive with a short keeper into the end zone at the 9:29 mark to close the gap to 35–28.
From there, Forrest drained the clock, and the Purple Tigers’ final drive ended with an incomplete pass as time expired, sealing the 35–28 Forrest victory.
Forrest will travel to Chattanooga Prep Friday for the first round of playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Watertown 0 7 14 7 — 28
Forrest 7 14 14 0 — 35
First Quarter
F – Micah Morgan 17 run (Isai Garcia kick), 5:54
Second Quarter
W – Jesse Bratcher 15 pass from Garrett Davis (Brody Osbourne kick), 10:20
F – Quincy Mitchell 3 run (Garcia kick), 6:33
F – Morgan 4 run (Garcia kick), 0:22
Third Quarter
W – Carmello Davis 15 pass from G. Davis (Osbourne kick), 11:11
F – Mitchell 5 run (Garcia kick), 6:31
W – Gunnar Tompkins 27 pass from G. Davis (Osbourne kick), 4:46
F – Mitchell 24 run (Garcia kick), 1:50
Fourth Quarter
W – G. Davis 3 run (Osbourne kick), 9:29