The highly anticipated rivalry gridiron game between Hwy 80 neighbors Forest and Morton was not diminished at all by the dominance Forest has had in the series during the last decade. Coming in Forest had won 10 straight Scott County Golden Chicken Battles, but the Panthers were only focused on this year and not the Forest dominance since 2008.
The Forest Bearcats and Morton Panthers entered the battle with more than the chicken trophy and bragging rights on the line. Entering last Friday nights game Morton trailed Forest by one game in their district and both were fighting to earn the second and last district playoff berth.
After a tough fought game in Morton the Forest Bearcats overtook the homestanding Panthers for the 12th straight time and 11th straight Golden Chicken in the hard-earned win. Forest started out fast and took an early lead that they would hold through halftime. With the Bearcats leading 21-7 the Panthers came out of the half with a vengeance with 13 unanswered third quarter points bringing the score to 21-20.
In the fourth quarter Paul Hughes and the Bearcats proved too much for the Panthers to complete the comeback in front of their home crowd. Hughes would score the eventual winning TD in the fourth quarter and Forest would escape Morton with the 28-26 victory and to the winner went all the spoils. Forest left town with a 11th straight Golden Chicken Trophy, held their spot at second in the district and their playoff hopes in great shape.
Hughes, a Bearcats senior, earned the games Most Valuable Player Award playing in his last Golden Chicken matchup. He saved his best effort for last by rushing for 174 yards scoring 3 TDs, and a 2 pt conversion.
Morton came into the game with a 3-6 record on the year, but the Panthers gave the Bearcats all they wanted during the in-county rivalry game. The Panthers will host Wilkinson County Friday night for the final game of the season.
Forest moves on to host Kemper County this Friday night in their most important game of the season. At this point it is very simple for Forest, win and you’re in the playoffs. The Bearcats will look to stamp their ticket to the 2018 3A football playoffs Friday night at L.O. Atkins field.
