By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
JASPER – The Forrest Rockets (5-3, 2-1) faced a tough 63-17 loss on Friday night in a Region 4-2A matchup against the Marion County Warriors (6-2, 2-0).
Both teams struggled to find momentum early on, with no points on the board for the first three drives.
However, Marion County’s Sam Pickett broke the stalemate with a 23-yard touchdown run, giving the Warriors their first score of the night.
The Rockets fought back but couldn’t gain traction offensively.
Their luck turned when Marion County fumbled on their own 45-yard line and Braiden Bourne capitalized with a scoop-and-score.
Isai Garcia’s extra point evened the game at 7-7 with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Pickett continued to carry the Warriors, leading another drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown.
With Leo Polovin’s successful PAT, Marion County regained the 14-7 lead with just over two minutes left in the quarter.
Forrest had a chance to tie it up early in the second quarter but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal, narrowing the deficit to 14-10.
But the Warriors responded swiftly, with Pickett breaking free for a 52-yard touchdown on the following drive, extending their lead to 21-10.
Marion
County maintained their dominance for the rest of the half, adding two more touchdowns to take a commanding 35-10 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was no kinder to the Rockets, as Marion County embarked on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with another Pickett touchdown, this time from five yards out.
Adding to Forrest’s struggles, Pickett intercepted a pass on the Rockets’ next drive.
Soon after, Mason Mays added a 26-yard touchdown run, further extending the Warriors’ advantage to 49-10.
Zaiden Humphrey opened the fourth quarter with a 29-yard touchdown run, leaving the Rockets with little room to rally.
Forrest showed resilience as quarterback Aiden Cantrell led a drive into the red zone, finishing with an 18-yard touchdown run.
After Garcia’s PAT, the score was 56-17 with just over four minutes left.
Marion County delivered the final blow when Humphrey scored again with 1:38 remaining, sealing the Warriors’ decisive 63-17 victory.
The Rockets take the field again on October 25 when they travel to Moore County for a matchup with the Raiders.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Marion County 14 21 14 14 – 63
Forrest 7 3 0 7 – 17
First Quarter
M — Sam Pickett 23 run (Leo Polovin kick), 7:02.
F — Braiden Bourne 45 scoop and score (Isai Garcia kick), 3:42.
M — Pickett 20 run (Polovin kick), 2:09.
Second Quarter
F — Garcia 22 field goal, 10:28.
M — Pickett 52 run (Polovin kick), 9:43.
M — Mason Mays 14 run (Polovin kick), 3:08.
M — Myles Mays 35 scoop and score (Polovin kick), 0:58.
Third Quarter
M — Pickett 5 run (Polovin kick), 7:29.
M — Mason Mays 26 run (Polovin kick), 3:30.
Fourth Quarter
M — Zaiden Humphrey 29 run (Polovin kick), 10:26.
F — Aiden Cantrell 18 run (Garcia kick), 4:05.
M — Humphrey 39 run (Polovin kick), 1:38.