After consecutive losses in week five and six, the Forrest Rockets were a 3-3 ballclub finding their way, but since then the Chapel Hill squad has reeled off three straight wins, including a solid, play-off clinching 21-13 triumph at MTCS Friday night.

"We are very excited and proud of the boys to win such a close game," said Forrest head coach Brian Coleman. "MTCS is a good playoff team, we had to battle for this win."

Decisive quarter

Forrest (6-3, 4-1) trailed 7-0 in the first quarter before putting up 14 points in the second quarter to take a lead they would never surrender.

The Rockets rushed for 229 yards in the contest as seniors Tyler McClendon (21-100-TD) and Brandon Anderson (9-100) both passed the century mark on the ground.

"We had a decent night rushing," said Coleman. "Tyler McClendon and Brandon Anderson had big nights rushing. Much credit needs to be given to the offensive line. They played hard and made holes, even when MTCS crowded the box."

Rocket quarterback Thaddeus Reyes only kept the ball three times for seven yards, but two of his carries went for touchdowns from six and five yards out, including the go-ahead score in the second quarter and the game clincher in the fourth quarter.

Dominating defense

The Forrest defense stuffed the Cougars on the ground, holding the home squad to just 95 yards rushing, so MTCS attacked through the air as Justin Winn threw for 192 yards.

"Their QB was 'on'," said Coleman. "It seemed that their receivers caught everything, but our defense swarmed to the ball and created some huge turnovers."

Winn went 14-23 with an interception and a 46-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Buckner, who ended up with three catches for 67 yards.

Griffin Harper also had 67 yards on five receptions from Winn.

Noah Merritt had 53 yards on the ground on nine touches for the Cougars and Brayden Melton was held to 19 yards on 10 carries, but one carry went for a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Reyes was 2-4 for 22 yards through the air with both passes completed to Anderson, while Jacob Daughrity completed one pass to Nolan Ferris for 34 yards.

Great numbers

While scoring at a 29-point per game clip on offense, Forrest sports the best defense in District 9A as they have surrendered just 109 points in nine games for a 12.1 average and on Friday night in Murfreesboro, the Rockets came up with a big interception and three crucial fumble recoveries.

"When playoff time rolls around and the weather becomes a factor, we believe the two things that a successful team needs to do is run the football and play good defense," said Coleman.

Forrest does both very well and if they can do it one more time at Fayetteville City in this week's regular season finale that will determine second place in District 9A, then a first-round home playoff game at "The Rock" in Chapel Hill may be in the cards for the Rockets.

Home hopes

"We may be in the playoffs, but we would like to earn a home playoff game," said Coleman. "I believe to do that we need to win Friday night against a good, well coached, very athletic Fayetteville City team. It will be no easy task."

It will be the first-ever meeting between the two squads.

The Tigers (4-5, 3-2) won their first three games of the season before losing five out of the next six, including a 57-18 pasting at Division II number 10 ranked Friendship Christian on Friday.