The Forrest Rockets did not let last week's heartbreaking loss versus Cascade deter their mission of winning District 9A this season as they came back vigorously versus top-ranked Moore County, blanking the Raiders 23-0 at "The Rock" in Friday night's league opener.

"The guys played excellent, they executed the game plan as we wanted," said Forrest head coach Brian Coleman. "Monday was a very quiet practice and these young kids, you don't know what they're thinking, but I think they were focused and ready to go to work this week."

Big achievement

The Forrest (2-1, 1-0) win was just the second triumph over Moore County (2-1, 0-1) in 26 years, with the last victory coming in 2009.

The Rockets turned in a productive, turnover-free effort on offense, while stymying a Moore County offense that put up 34 points and 348 rushing yards versus Cornersville last week.

Forrest averaged 3.9 yards a carry in the contest, running the ball 48 times for 186 yards with Tyler McClendon leading the way with 61 yards on 16 touches and 1 touchdown.

Rocket signal caller Thaddeus Reyes completed one pass for 24 yards in the ballgame and rushed for 35 yards on eight carries, including a game clinching fourth quarter three-yard run to the pylon.

Key interception

Reyes also came up with a huge interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter that led to a Brandon Anderson 17-yard touchdown scamper that gave Forrest some breathing room at 16-0.

Anderson ended up with 58 yards on seven carries for a hefty 8.3 average gain.

The Forrest defense was tough from the outset, stopping a six-minute plus Raiders' opening drive with the big play coming from Logan Hollingsworth, who dragged Moore County quarterback Dillon Davis to the ground on a fourth down and eight play.

Forrest punted away the ball after an unsuccessful first possession, but the Rocket 'D' thwarted the Moore County offense again, forcing a punt on the final play of the first quarter.

The Rockets started the second quarter at their own 29-yard and proceeded to pound the rock fifteen times as they marched towards the Moore County end zone.

Critical moves

Facing a fourth and one at the Moore County 12-yard line with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter, Coleman called timeout and after the stoppage, Reyes moved the chains on a quarterback keeper before Tyler McClendon rushed to pay dirt.

Chris Haggard booted the extra point through the uprights, giving Forrest all the points they would need in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Haggard drilled the ball over the Moore County goal line for a touchback and the Rocket defense stuffed the Raiders to force another punt.

Forrest went three-and--out as well before a fourth down gamble by Moore County backfired when Boone Sweeney tackled Raider running back Matt Taggett behind the line of scrimmage, giving Forrest great field position at the Raiders' 35-yard with 1:35 remaining in the first half.

On target

On second down and ten, Reyes threw to Nolan Ferris, who made a great catch on the home sideline for a 24-yard gain, down to the Moore County 11.

Coleman would call timeout after one play, setting up a 32 field goal try by Haggard that was as true as could be, splitting the uprights as the halftime buzzer sounded with the Rockets in front 10-zip.

Defense was the name of the game at the outset of the second half as Forrest went three-and-out three times and the Raiders punted twice and faced a third down and eight at their own 17-yard line when the third quarter ended.

After Forrest walled up on third down, Moore County went for it and Taggert got the first down, but on the next play, Reyes came up with a tipped ball and returned it to the Moore County 23-yard line, setting up the Anderson score moments later to make it a 16-0 ballgame.

'Good things'

"If you try hard and get to the football, good things will happen and we had some good things happen tonight," said Coleman.

Moore County was in a do or die situation as the Raiders tried to put together a drive, but on this Friday, the Rocket defense owned the night, gang-tackling Taggert on a fourth down run with 6:36 remaining in the contest.

"We have got to be a second half team that gets stronger and owns the fourth quarter," said Coleman. "I have said this a million times, with our brand of football, we are going to run it straight at you, straight at you, try to wear you down where the fourth quarter has to be ours."

Forrest chewed five minutes plus off the clock before Reyes took off to the home sideline and darted to the pylon where he brushed the orange marker for touchdown.

Haggard's kick was good for the extra point, making it 23-0, and on the Raiders' next play from scrimmage; junior Logan Ray pounced on a loose ball to cap the shutout.

Team play

"That's just rallying to the football, eleven people to the football," said Coleman. "We preach it all week, maybe you can jar it loose, maybe get a big hit on a comeback and you have eleven guys around you, rallying to the football."

The Rockets travel to Cornersville Friday night in another chapter of the storied Battle of the North and South.

"Huge county rivalry, it just doesn't get any easier," said Coleman. "Coach (John) Denton is doing a great job over there and they are playing hard. We told the kids to enjoy this weekend, but come back Monday and get ready to practice for the big county rivalry."