Quincy Mitchell pushes past Bobcat defenders. Mitchell had 150 rushing yards on the night. (Post Photos by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
PULASKI — The Forrest Rockets went toe-to-toe with Giles County in a hard-fought region matchup Friday night, the Bobcats pulling away late for a 46–28 win.
The game was tight from start to finish, with Forrest rallying from an early deficit to take the lead in the third quarter before Giles County’s late surge sealed the outcome.
The Rockets opened the game with a steady ground attack, led by sophomore Quincy Mitchell, who picked up multiple first downs on the opening drive.
Quarterback Micah Morgan connected with Isaac Cruse for a key third-down conversion to keep the drive alive.
As time expired in the first quarter, Mitchell broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run to tie the game 7–7 after Giles County’s earlier score.
The Bobcats struck quickly in the second frame when quarterback Xavier Randolph hit Pierson Collier for a 47-yard touchdown, though the PAT missed.
Forrest answered right back as Morgan found Mitchell on a fourth-down touchdown pass to take a 14–13 lead midway through the quarter.
Giles County closed the half strong, however, adding a 28-yard touchdown pass from Randolph to Damari Allen and a 29-yard scoring
Junior Isaac Cruse pulls one in during the second half to keep the chains moving for the Rockets. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
run from Collier to move ahead 25–14 at the break.
The Rockets came out determined in the second half.
After a fumble recovery by Ethan Patrick gave Forrest great field position, Mitchell powered his way into the end zone on a 36-yard run to make it 25–21.
Moments later, Forrest recovered the ensuing kickoff, and Mitchell struck again for another touchdown to put the Rockets ahead 28–25 with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Forrest’s defense forced a Bobcat punt on the next series, and a gutsy fake punt run by Jacob Tincher helped extend another Rocket drive.
But a missed field goal early in the fourth quarter left the door open for Giles County, and the Bobcats capitalized.
Randolph connected with Allen on a pair of clutch passes before Collier punched it in from four yards out to reclaim the lead.
Giles County added another touchdown to Allen and later returned an interception 61 yards for a score to put the game out of reach at 46–28.
The Rockets will look to finish strong as they travel to Watertown next week to close out the regular season.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Giles Co. 7 18 0 21 — 46
Forrest 7 7 14 0 — 28
First Quarter
G – Pierson Collier 7 run (Cooper White kick), 3:00.
F – Quincy Mitchell 32 run (Isai Garcia kick), 0:00.
Second Quarter
G – Collier 48 pass from Xavier Randolph (kick failed), 10:47.
F – Mitchell 14 pass from Micah Morgan (Garcia kick), 6:48.
G – Xavier Hannah pass from Randolph (run failed), 2:49.
G – Collier 29 run (kick blocked), 1:38.
Third Quarter
F – Mitchell 36 run (Garcia kick), 9:16.
F – Mitchell 39 pass from Morgan (Garcia kick), 6:59.
Fourth Quarter
G – Collier 4 run (White kick), 7:57.
G – Hannah 13 pass from Randolph (White kick), 3:10.
G – Colt Ogle interception return (White kick), 2:12.