Pep rally, jamboree fuels football fever

On Friday night, the Chapel Hill community showed their continuing support for youth and prep sports in the town as a huge throng of fans showed up at the "Rock" for the First Annual Community Pep Rally.

Hundreds of youth football players and cheerleaders, ranging in ages from five to eighteen took part in the event that was jump started by a rousing performance from Billy Bateman and the Forrest Rocket Band of Blue.

The 2007 State Champions and winners of numerous awards over the years performed their 2011 Cirque Du Sole routine to perfection and a rousing standing ovation followed their knockout performance.

After the band left the field, each group of youth cheerleaders performed a routine that was followed by the FMS and Forrest High School cheerleaders, who gave the fans a good look at what the upcoming football season will sound and look like on the sidelines as the fans rose to their feet and followed the girls' cheers.

As the cheers ended, the various Chapel Hill Youth Football Association age groups ran out through the spirit line, followed by the middle school and high school football teams.

The night wound down with a great roar from the crowd as the Rockets took the field to signal the beginning of high school football in the county.

On Saturday night, back at the "Rock", the Forrest Rockets hosted their annual jamboree with Huntland beating Mt. Juliet Christian 23-0 in the first game and Eagleville taking down Community 14-0 in game two.

The young Rockets took the field for the final contest versus archrival Cascade and hung tough before falling 14-0.

Forrest opens the 2011 campaign for real this Friday night at home versus Perry County at 7:00 p.m.