Quincy Mitchell carries for the Rockets. He had 112 yards in the first half before being sidelined for an injury. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL — Injuries played a pivotal role in Friday’s homecoming competition at “The Rock,” where the Forrest Rockets (5-2) fell to the Gordonsville Tigers (5-2) in a 36-19 loss.
Gordonsville dominated the clock in the first quarter, eating up 75% of the time as they marched deep into Rocket territory, reaching the 4-yard line.
But the Forrest defense stood strong, halting the Tigers’ advance with a key stop at 3:32 remaining.
The Rockets responded with their own drive, reaching the Tigers’ 11-yard line, but like Gordonsville, they turned the ball over on downs.
It was the Tigers who broke the deadlock, courtesy of Jemario Williams, who sprinted 88 yards for a touchdown.
Gaven Kemp added the extra point, giving Gordonsville a 7-0 lead with 9:33 left in the second quarter.
Forrest quickly ans
Jackson Blakemore and Jason Patrick celebrate after Blakemore’s fumble recovery for a touchdown. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
wered. Quincy Mitchell’s 37-yard run set up the Rockets on the Tigers’ 28-yard line.
On a critical fourth-down play, quarterback Aiden Cantrell found Mitchell again, this time for a 34-yard touchdown, tying the game at seven.
The Rockets soon had another chance after a Shawn David interception, but they couldn’t capitalize.
Instead, the Tigers found themselves pinned on their own 1-yard line.
On third down, Cohen Grissom forced a fumble in the Tiger end zone, with Jackson Blakemore pouncing on the ball for a Forrest touchdown.
However, the Tigers blocked the extra point, and the Rockets took a narrow 13-7 lead with just 2:01 remaining in the half.
But Gordonsville struck back almost immediately.
Quarterback J. Foster took off on a 71-yard touchdown run, and with Kemp’s PAT, the Tigers reclaimed the lead, 14-13, heading into halftime.
“There’s a bunch of different players that did not play in the second half,” said Forrest head coach Justin Palmer.
“At this level of football, you get five or six injuries to starters like that, it’s going to look very different. It took a toll on us. It just made it tough on both sides of the ball.”
The Tigers kept the momentum rolling in the second half. After intercepting the Rockets on their first possession, Foster scampered into the end zone from seven yards out, extending Gordonsville’s lead to 21-13 at 9:07 in the third quarter.
The Rockets fought back, with Eli Bell returning the kickoff deep into Tiger territory.
A series of determined plays got Forrest down to the 6-yard line, where Cantrell punched it in for a touchdown.
Forrest attempted a 2-point conversion, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving them trailing 21-19 with 5:22 left in the third.
As both teams struggled to find traction, Williams struck again for Gordonsville, this time breaking away for a 56-yard touchdown run.
Kemp’s kick extended the Tigers’ lead to 28-19.
Cohen Grissom pulls down Jemario Williams for the stop. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
The Tigers weren’t finished. With 6:15 left in the game, Camrix Stott added a 31-yard touchdown run.
Foster connected with Dalton Hancock on the two-point conversion, sealing Gordonsville’s 36-19 victory.
“Two different teams right now, said Palmer. “They’re on a whole different level than we are. We’re hoping to get to where they are at some point. They’re very physical. We got out-coached and outplayed. You can’t do that against a great opponent.”
“I’ve got to see who’s available for next week,” said Palmer. “That’s a big part of it. That’s going to make a big difference in what we do game plan-wise. We’ve just got to move on. We knew it would be tough. Playing a good opponent on homecoming makes it even tougher. At this point we just have to figure out who we have available and then put together the best game plan we can and have a good week of practice.”
Forrest will look to rebound next Friday as they hit the road to face Marion County in a region matchup.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Gordonsville 0 14 7 15 — 36
Forrest 0 13 6 0 — 19
Second Quarter
G — Jemario Williams 88 run (Gaven Kemp kick), 9:33.
F — Quincy Mitchell 34 pass from Aiden Cantrell (Isai Garcia kick), 7:23.
F — Jackson Blakemore recovered fumble in end zone (kick blocked), 2:01.
G — J. Foster 71 run (Kemp kick), 1:48.
Third Quarter
G — Foster 7 run (Kemp kick), 9:07.
F — Cantrell 4 run (pass failed), 5:22.
Fourth Quarter
G — Williams 56 run (Kemp kick), 11:38.
G — Camrix Stott 31 run (Dalton Hancock pass from Foster), 6:15.
