The FMS Rockets came up with another strong defensive performance, eking out an 8-6 win over the Community Middle School Vikings Thursday night in Chapel Hill.

"We did a great job, we showed some leadership tonight," said FMS head coach Bart Joyce. "Our defense played good, Deron Osborne and Josh Hill and several guys who stepped it up. We have to get more going on offense, it's a work in progress, and we just got to get it done."

Both squads played tough defense as the Rockets held the Unionville squad to a measly 28 yards of total offense, while Forrest managed just 88 total yards versus Community's defense.

Great night

Bryton Spitzley turned in a huge performance, toting the rock 31 times for 128 yards, including Forrest's only touchdown of the contest.

Forrest went three and out to start their second game of the season, but the Vikings gave it right back as Deron "Scrappy" Osborne made a big tackle behind the scrimmage on third down to force a punt.

Community continued their stinginess, holding the Rockets on four downs to take over and the first quarter ended on a Josh Hill tackle in the backfield, forcing Community to punt the ball away on the first play of the second quarter.

On first down, Community defensive back Jon Quick picked off Lane LaPorte to take over at the FMS 41-yard, but Osborne turned the tables on the Vikings when he scooped up a loose ball on first down and scooted down to the Unionville 20-yard line.

Winning plays

Five plays later, Spitzley bulled his way into the Vikings' end zone for touchdown before adding the two-point conversion, putting FMS in front 8-0 with 5:21 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Quick caught the ball and ran through a couple of Forrest tacklers before racing down the visitor's sideline for a 56-yard touchdown, cutting the FMS lead to 8-6.

Community attempted a pass on the two-point conversion, but Wesley McCoy stepped in front of the Stone Frost throw, knocking the ball down to preserve FMS' lead.

There was no more scoring the rest of the first half as each team had trouble moving the ball.

Vikings stopped

Wyatt Sobiek, who led the Vikings in the rushing department with 47 yards on 18 touches, returned the second half kickoff to the Community 47-yard line.

Unionville proceeded to drive the ball to the FMS 20-yard line before a series of bad snaps backed them up to the 26-yard line.

On third down, Quick scooted to the 18, but on the fourth down play, Evan Ethridge fell on another bad snap to put a halt to the Community scoring threat.

Forrest could not muster any offense on their next drive as the game moved to the fourth quarter with the Rockets still holding a two-point margin.

The Forrest defense stayed stout as Josh Hill busted through the line and made a third down tackle for a loss, forcing another Community punt with 3:25 remaining in the game.

The Rockets put together a nice drive, running the ball before Sobiek stole the ball and raced to the FMS 41-yard with 1:12 left in the contest.

Final run

On the first play of the drive, Sobiek took the toss on a hook and lateral down to the FMS 23-yard line.

That would be as far as the Vikings would get as the Rockets held firm on the next four plays to seal the win and remain undefeated at 2-0 on the

young season.

"The guys finished strong," said Joyce. "They had a bad thing happen with a minute or two left on the clock, but they came back and got the job dome when we needed it. 2-0, we'll always take 2-0, especially with the close competition like Unionville. They have a good ball team."

Osborne had 10 tackles for the Rockets in the contest, while Austin Porter managed six takedowns and Nathan Trout and Hill both had five tackles apiece.

Tough foe

Forrest travels to Cascade on Thursday to take on the Champions.

It's always tough going to Cascade to play, especially in football," said Joyce. "We have had some battles, some true battles over there. Coach Bassham has a well-coached club, but hopefully we can go over there and get a win."