The Forrest Rockets finished up the preseason on a high note with a solid defensive effort by the varsity squad against Giles County and Spring Hill Friday night at Murrey E. Holton Field in Chapel Hill.

"Our objective was to not get anybody hurt and have everybody ready for the big game next Friday night at Huntland and we did that," Forrest coach Matt Kriesky said. "We wanted to get rid of all the pre-game jitters and get them accustomed to coming out and doing all the necessary things so next Friday won't be the first time."

Pounding it out

Forrest pounded the football and played solid defense against the Bobcats and the Raiders in preparation for the Hornets.

"We were a little simple on both sides of the ball and wanted to see 11 guys on defense flying to the football," Kriesky said. "Containing both Giles County and Spring Hill was good. They're 4A schools and very athletic teams."

The varsity offense mainly ran the football and missed a couple of opportunities to hit some passes.

"Offensively, we just wanted to pound the football and probably did some things we weren't accustomed to doing, so we'll look at that tonight and work the kinks out and we'll be ready for Friday night," the coach added.

Freshmen win

The Forrest freshman team took the field first and looked solid against Lebanon, coming away with a 16-8 win.

"We work a lot with our young kids, so I was proud of them and the way they played against that 4A school out of Wilson County," Kriesky said. "They deserve as much work as the varsity guys, I wish we could have a freshman team, but unfortunately we can't."

Kriesky mentioned the good work done by quarterback Josh Meglis, linebacker and running back Bryton Spitzley, Austin Porter at free safety and Colby Bluthardt at cornerback.

"Defensively, I think we played well and the guys are picking up our scheme," the coach said.

Next: Huntland

The Rockets will be looking for some payback at Huntland Friday night as last year's 37-27 loss in Franklin County probably denied Forrest the district title.

"I think if we would've won that game we would've won the district and that's always our goal, so it was a thorn in our side the rest of the year," Kriesky said.

"It's going to be a fun Friday night, Coach (Bob) Robertson and his staff do a great job and they have a lot of guys back from last year, so we will have to come mentally prepared."