In what could be a major deciding factor in the outcome of the Region 5-AA race, the Forrest Rockets got the upper hand on the Cascade Champions on Friday night.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
In what could be a major deciding factor in the outcome of the Region 5-AA race, the Forrest Rockets got the upper hand on the Cascade Champions on Friday night.
The Rockets outscored the Champs 17-7 in the second half and secured a firm grip on the Region 5-AA standings with a 24-7 win over Cascade.
The loss was the first for the Champions this season.
Offense proved a struggle as the Rockets found the end zone with 21 seconds left in the first quarter for the only touchdown of the first half.
Hunter Bennett capped the drive with a one-yard plunge into the end zone to put Forrest up 7-0.
That lead held through the remainder of the first half.
The visitors doubled their lead with some nifty special teams play in the third quarter when Brenton Burchell took a 64-yard punt return to the house with 29 seconds left in the third quarter.
Trailing 14-0, Cascade finally got on the board early in the fourth frame when Ryan Inmon broke loose on a 75-yard trot.
Drake Hodge’s successful kick after cut the Forrest lead in half, but that’s where the Champs’ offense ended.
Forrest was the beneficiary of a 25-yard field goal by Gavin Grissom and a two-yard run by Bennett to tack on 10 more points in the fourth to secure the win over the Champions.
The Rockets outgained Cascade, 267-228 yards. The Champs mustered up 166 yards on the ground, with Inmon’s 75-yard score being the highlight of the night for Cascade.
He carried the ball 21 times for 139 yards for Cascade.
While the loss dings the Champs’ chances at a Region 5-AA title, Cascade gets a manageable three-game stretch to end the regular season, beginning with Jo Byrns on Friday.
After the non-district game against Jo Byrns, Cascade closes the season with region games against Loretto and Summertown.
Forrest will face Mt. Pleasant on Friday, before closing the season with games against East Robertson and Richland.
Forrest 7 0 7 10 — 24
Cascade 0 0 0 7 — 7
First Quarter
F — Hunter Bennett 1 run, Gavin Grissom kick, 0:21
Third Quarter
F — Brenton Burchell 64 punt return, Grissom kick, 0:29.
Fourth Quarter
C — Ryan Inman 75 run, Drake Hodge kick, 11:03.
F— Grissom 25-yard field goal, 4:36.
F — Bennett 2 run, Grissom kick, 2:24.
Total Yards-Forrest 267, Cascade 228
Rushing-Forrest 220, Cascade 166.
Passing-Forrest 47, Cascade 34.
Rushing
Forrest-Chris Davis 8-86, Hunter Bennett 7-48-2TD, Brenton Burchell 8-29, Tayton Swift 7-23, McCalister Wilson 5-22, Liam Bell 6-12.
Cascade-Ryan Inmon 21-139-TD, Xamarion Dixon 4-13, Connor Huie 2-8, Blake Olive 2-4, Chris Sullivan 2-1.
Receiving
Forrest-Christian Hammond 2-47.
Cascade-Taylor Dowell 3-62.
Penalties-Forrest 3-30, Cascade 2-15.
Turnovers-Forrest 1, Cascade 2.
Passing
Forrest-Hunter Bennett 2-5-47-0-0.
Cascade-Ryan Inmon 3-13-62-0-2INT.