After a disappointing 12-8 loss last week at home versus Middle Tennessee Christian School, the Forrest Middle School Rockets bounced back with an exciting 20-8 come from behind victory over archrival Eagleville in Thursday night’s homecoming game at Murrey E. Holton Field in Chapel Hill.

“I just can’t be more proud of my guys, they came out, saw some adversity and a very good Eagleville team and they rose to the occasion, it’s absolutely huge,” FMS coach Tony Johnson said. “Losing Monday was tough, coming out for homecoming is always tough because it’s a hectic week, but these guys stayed focused and stayed disciplined and came out here ready to win.”

Defense dominated the game in the first half as FMS failed to score twice inside the red zone and Rockets’ defense held once inside their own 20-yard line.

Micah McClendon recovered a fumble to ruin Eagleville’s first possession of the second half and the Rockets’ offense quickly went to work.

On a second-and-15 play, FMS quarterback Tilden Copeland fired an 18-yard strike to Codi Smith for a touchdown.

“Copeland played fantastic tonight, I haven’t seen him play that good all year,” Johnson said. “He is really stepping up and becoming a great leader for us, he made some throws tonight I haven’t seen out of him, so that was great.”

The attempted 2-point conversion was no good as FMS led 6-0 with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter.

Eagleville answered in a hurry, taking just three plays to cover 55 yards with the score coming on a Kayden Snitzer 34-yard run.

Snitzer added the 2-point conversion run to give the Eagles an 8-6 lead with 2:32 left in the third quarter.

The Eagleville defense came up big when Snitzer recovered a Forrest fumble at the 48-yard line, but a fourth down sack by FMS’ Liam Bell spoiled the drive and the Rockets took over at their own 44-yard line.

Six plays later, Brenton Burchell rumbled to pay dirt from 18 yards out and McClendon added the 2-point conversion run to give the Rockets a 14-8 lead with 3:01 remaining in the contest.

The FMS coaching staff came up with some trickery, calling an onside kick that was executed perfectly and recovered by Bell at the 42-yard line.

FMS drove to the Eagleville 25-yard line, but fumbled the ball away and Brody McLemore recovered with 1:28 remaining in the game.

After two McLemore incompletions, McClendon came up with the play of the game when he picked off McLemore and took it to the house from 33-yards out.

Eagleville had only 1:04 left to attempt a comeback, but once again McClendon intercepted McLemore to seal the homecoming win for Rockets.

“McClendon stepped up for us tonight,” Johnson said. “He is becoming a great leader and he is doing everything we ask of him and more.”

Forrest (3-2) is back in thick of the Duck River Valley Conference race and had a makeup game Monday at Cannon County before a Thursday night bye.

FMS finishes up the regular season with a home game versus Fayetteville on September 27 and an away game at Cascade on October 4.

“It’s a tough stretch, but we have to rise to the occasion, it’s all we can do,” Johnson said.

Eagleville 0 0 8 0-8

FMS 0 0 6 14-20

Scoring Plays

Third Quarter

FMS-Codi Smith 18-yard pass from Tilden Copeland, 2-pt. run NG, 4:14.

Eagleville-Kayden Snitzer 34-yard run, Snitzer 2-pt. run, 2:32.

Fourth Quarter

FMS-Brenton Burchell 18-yard run, Micah McClendon 2-pt. run, 3:01.

FMS-Micah McClendon 33-yard interception return, 2-pt. run NG, 1:04.

Forrest Total Offense: Rushing 153, Passing 77.

Rushing: Tayton Swift 13-74, Brenton Burchell 8-46-TD, Micah McClendon 5-21, Liam Bell 5-12.

Passing: Tilden Copeland 4-5-77-TD.

Receiving: Swift 2-35, Blaine Meeks 1-24, Codi Smith 1-18-TD.

Defense

Interceptions: McClendon 2.

Fumble Recoveries: McClendon, Bell.