Branham Haynes snags the catch for the Rockets. Haynes had 106 receiving yards on the night. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
Kam Street gets a critical quarterback sack on fourth down in Rocket territory. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
WOODBURY — Despite missing a handful of key players due to injury, the Forrest Rockets (4-0) maintained their perfect record with a 28-12 win over the Cannon County Lions (2-2) in Thursday night’s Region 4-2A matchup.
“I had a conversation with senior Luke Allen this morning during school,” said Forrest head coach Justin Palmer. “He brought up to me that all the seniors were talking about how they’ve never had a true road win against a region team—a tough road win. And they were all looking forward to the challenge. When he said that, that told me they wanted this tonight.”
The Rockets saw several athletes rise to the occasion, most notably Branham Haynes, who tallied 106 receiving yards in the victory.
“Everybody has something they can bring to the table,” said Palmer. “I think through all the things that we do through our culture and our offseason program and our house competitions, guys find roles. It may be like Jason (Patrick) coming in and running and getting a big first down, Branham making those catches, Aiden (Cantrell) doing his thing. And Antonio (Marable), he got one carry, and he did exactly what I told him to do and put us in a good situation.”
Forrest wasted no time getting on the board.
On its first drive, Quincy Mitchell, who rushed for 199 yards on 25 carries for the evening, powered his way to the Cannon County 22-yard line in just five plays.
Facing third-down, Cantrell connected with Braden Bourne for a first down, positioning Mitchell for his first touchdown of the night on a 14-yard run.
Isai Garcia’s extra point put the Rockets up 7-0 with 8:01 remaining in the first quarter.
Cannon County responded quickly. Zae Odom returned the kickoff to Forrest’s 40-yard line, but after five plays, senior Kam Street delivered a critical quarterback sack on fourth down, halting the Lions’ advance.
The squads traded stops until the Lions finally broke through with a 9-yard touchdown pass with 4:20 left in the half.
A botched snap on the extra point attempt kept the Rockets ahead, 7-6.
Forrest answered in style before the half, as Cantrell found Haynes on a 42-yard bomb with just 1:23 remaining.
Garcia’s kick extended the lead to 14-6 at halftime.
The Lions came out strong in the second half, with Brayden Smithson finding the end zone on an 11-yard touchdown run just three minutes in.
Their 2-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Forrest clinging to a 14-12 lead.
The third quarter passed with no conversions until Cantrell once again connected with Haynes, this time on a 41-yard pass to push the Rockets into Lion territory.
A 34-yard reception by Jacob Tincher set up a series of Mitchell runs, bringing the Rockets to the two-yard line as the quarter ended.
Cantrell punched it in on the first play of the fourth quarter, widening Forrest’s lead.
After a failed Cannon County drive, the Rockets put the game out of reach, Mitchell capping a nine-play series with a 28-yard touchdown run, and Garcia’s extra point sealed the victory with just 1:59 remaining.
“Cannon County is doing a good job,” said Palmer. “I knew they were going to be much-improved. We told the kids all week they’re going to be better than they were last year, but we’re better too.”
The Rockets will travel next week to face White House Heritage, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
Cannon Co. 0 6 6 0 — 12
Forrest 7 7 0 14 — 28
First Quarter
F – Quincy Mitchell 12 run (Isai Garcia kick), 8:01
Second Quarter
C – Dustin Keller 10 pass from Eli Garrett (pass failed), 4:13
F – Branham Haynes 41 pass from Aiden Cantrell (Garcia kick), 1:23
Third Quarter
C – Brayden Smithson 11 run (run failed), 9:50
Fourth Quarter
F – Cantrell 1 run (Garcia kick), 11:56
F – Mitchell 28 run (Garcia kick), 1:59
