The Rockets lineup for the snap in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs at Gatlinburg-Pittman. (Photo courtesy of Tosca Lopez, Special to The Mountain Press)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
GATLINBURG — What began with a gut-punch for the Forrest Rockets ended in a long night in the Smokies, as Gatlinburg-Pittman used a second-half surge to defeat Forrest 35–14 on Friday in round two of Region 4-3A playoffs.
On the opening kickoff, junior receiver Isaac Cruse went down with an ankle injury, an unwelcome start in a high-stakes playoff matchup.
Across the sideline stood another Class 3A Mr. Football semifinalist, Gatlinburg-Pittman’s standout Brayden Maples, who proved to be the difference-maker with three touchdowns and 97 yards on the night.
Despite the early adversity, Forrest delivered a positive response in a nearly flawless, nine-minute, 40-second opening drive that drained the first quarter.
With a steady dose of Quincy Mitchell—himself a Mr. Football semifinalist—and quarterback keepers from Micah Morgan, the Rockets marched 67 yards on 18 plays.
Mitchell capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown at 2:20, giving Forrest a 7–0 lead.
But Gatlinburg-Pittman answered quickly.
A strong return set up a short field, and Maples punched in a 3-yard score early in the second quarter to tie the game at 7–7.
Forrest reclaimed momentum with a 10-play, 78-yard drive late in the half.
A facemask penalty helped push the Rockets into Gatlinburg-Pittman territory, and a perfectly placed Morgan strike to Braid
Quincy Mitchell finished his remarkable sophomore season with 2,919 total yards for a school record. (Post File Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
en Bourne at 1:32 put Forrest ahead 14–7.
However, Gatlinburg-Pittman’s quick-strike offense tilted the game before halftime.
The Highlanders covered 80 yards in just 1:25, and with three seconds remaining, quarterback Tyson Sutton hit Elijah Spence to tie it 14–14 at the break.
The third quarter belonged entirely to Gatlinburg-Pittman.
A mix of passing and Maples’ downhill running produced a 1-yard Maples touchdown at 8:32, giving Gatlinburg-Pittman its first lead, 21–14.
Forrest’s next possession stalled, and the Highlanders’ defensive front tightened, limiting Forrest’s inside run game.
Forrest was poised to answer late in the third after a series of tough Mitchell runs pushed the ball to the Highlander 44.
But a string of penalties and incompletions halted the drive, leaving the Rockets empty-handed as the quarter expired.
In the fourth frame, Forrest’s chance to stay within striking distance slipped away on a fourth-and-two run inside the Gatlinburg-Pittman 25, stopped inches short.
Gatlinburg-Pittman took advantage of the turnover on downs, leaning again on Maples.
A key completion to Spence on 1st-and-15 put the Highlanders on the 11, and Maples soon scored from six yards out with 4:50 remaining to make it 28–14.
A Spence interception on Forrest’s next possession set the stage for the night’s final blow, Maples’ third touchdown with 1:58 to play, sealing a 35–14 Highlander victory.
Mitchell finished the season with 2,919 total yards, setting yet another school record.
Gatlinburg-Pittman 0 14 7 14 — 35
Forrest 7 7 0 0 — 14
First Quarter
F — Quincy Mitchell 5 run (Isai Garcia kick), 2:20.
Second Quarter
GP — Brayden Maples 5 run (kick good), 11:40.
F — Micah Morgan pass to Braiden Bourne (Garcia kick), 1:32.
GP — Tyson Sutton pass to Elijah Spence (kick), 0:03.
Third Quarter
GP — Maples 1 run (kick good), 8:32.
Fourth Quarter
GP — Maples 6 run (kick), 4:50.
GP — Maples 13 run (kick), 1:58.