Senior Quarterback Aiden Cantrell picks up 25 yards for the first down for the Rockets. (Post Photos by Kacy Kincaid)
Jason Patrick forces the Community fumble that was recovered by Forrest. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL — It was all Forrest Rockets (3-0) from start to finish under the lights at “The Rock” on Friday, as they cruised to a 55-14 victory over the Community Vikings (0-3).
The Rockets wasted no time asserting their control.
Just three minutes into the game, quarterback Aiden Cantrell connected with Branham Haynes for a 42-yard touchdown strike.
Isai Garcia nailed the extra point, giving Forrest an early 7-0 lead.
Community, unable to gain any momentum, was forced to punt on their next possession.
The Rockets quickly capitalized.
A strong team effort moved the ball downfield, setting up Quincy Mitchell for a 10-yard touchdown run with five minutes left in the first quarter, extending the lead to 13-0.
The Vikings showed some life late in the first quarter and carried that momentum into the second.
Quarterback Nyles Barnett found Charles Haskins for a 12-yard touchdown pass at the 9:24 mark.
The duo linked up again for a successful 2-point conversion, cutting Forrest’s lead to 13-8.
But Forrest responded quickly when Cantrell broke free for a 25-yard run, setting up the Rockets deep in Viking territory.
After a penalty and a couple of key runs, Mitchell punched in a 5-yard touchdown, with Garcia’s PAT extending Forrest’s lead to 20-8.
Community made another push after a completed pass to Haskins put them in Rocket territory.
But just as the Vikings looked poised to score, Isaac Cruse snagged an interception, giving Forrest the ball on the Viking 14-yard line.
The Rockets didn’t waste the opportunity. Cantrell, Mitchell, and Cruse moved the ball efficiently, and with 1:34 remaining in the half, Mitchell capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
The Rockets headed into halftime with a comfortable 26-8 lead.
The second half was more of the same.
Just one minute into the third quarter, Mitchell sprinted 28 yards for another touchdown, followed by his own 2-point conversion run, pushing the score to 34-8.
Community’s offense struggled to find a rhythm, stalling on several drives. A quarterback sack by Kam Street and an interception by Andrew Winsett put Forrest in prime scoring position once again.
Cantrell connected with Haynes for another touchdown pass, and with Garcia’s extra point, the Rockets were up 41-8.
After forcing a turnover on downs, the Rockets continued to pour it on.
Braden Bourne and Jacob Tincher helped advance the ball, setting up Mitchell for a 20-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Garcia’s kick made it 48-8 with just under a minute left in the quarter.
The Vikings’ woes continued when they fumbled on the kickoff return, allowing Forrest to take over on its own 15-yard line, leading to a Jason Patrick 3-yard touchdown run, Garcia’s PAT extending the lead to 55-8.
Community managed to find the end zone one final time late in the game. Barnett hit Isaac Jacobs for an 11-yard completion, followed by a 26-yard touchdown pass to Haskins with just over three minutes left, but the Rockets claimed a resounding 55-14 victory.
“The scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story,” said Forrest head coach Justin Palmer.
“I’m not super happy right now with how we played and how we acted leading up to the game and during the game. You’ve got to work. You gotta work for it. Some of the silly stuff needs to be put to the side. Right now, I think they’re just a little too content with being average or being decent. We need to work toward being something better and not being satisfied with where we’re at right now.”
Forrest will look to keep their perfect record intact as they hit the road Thursday to face Cannon County in the start of region play.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Community 0 8 0 6 — 14
Forrest 13 13 22 7 — 55
First Quarter
F – Branham Haynes 42 pass from Aiden Cantrell (Isai Garcia kick), 8:57.
F – Quincy Mitchell 10 run (kick failed), 5:02.
Second Quarter
C – Charles Haskins 12 pass from Nyles Barnett (Haskins pass from Barnett), 9:24.
F – Mitchell 11 run (Garcia kick), 7:42.
F – Mitchell 2 run (kick failed), 1:34.
Third Quarter
F – Mitchell 28 run (Mitchell run), 11:07.
F – Haynes 15 pass from Cantrell (Garcia kick), 8:43.
F – Mitchell 20 run (Garcia kick), 0:58.
Fourth Quarter
F – Jason Patrick 3 run (Garcia kick), 11:00.
C – Haskins 26 pass from Barnett (pass failed), 2:54.
