By Wes Sparkmon
For the second straight year, Page would travel to and top Forrest in thrilling fashion.
Defense would prevail through the first quarter, as both teams would be forced to punt on each of their first two drives.
In the second quarter, Dillon Myers would return the Forrest punt to the Rockets 26-yard line. The Patriots would capitalize on the field position, as Michael Roberts punched it in from 2 yards out to put the Patriots on the board with 7:53 left in the first half. Forrest responded with a touchdown of their own with 1:55 left in the first half, but missed the extra point. Page would take the ball and score quickly, as Michael Magochy would score from 8 yards out as the clock expired for the 1st half, setting the halftime score at 14-6.
Page Holds On In Second Half
At the start of the second half, Forrest would attempt to sneak one past the Patriots by starting the half with an onside kick, but Page would recover. The Patriots offense would make big plays, including a 54-yard pass from Michael Magochy to Michael Roberts, but were unable to finish off drives. The 3rd quarter would be scoreless, but Forrest was able to score with a little more than 8 minutes left in the game, but the conversion attempt would be unsuccessful and Page would hold a 14-12 lead.
Forrest would get one more opportunity, but fumbled the ball back to the Patriots at their own 42 yard line with just over 2 minutes left in the game. Page was able to run out the clock and escaped Chapel Hill with a victory for the second consecutive year.
The win moves Page to 3-1, 1-0 in Class 4A, Region 4 as they prepare for next week’s regional matchup with Lawrence County.
