A key surprise onside kick by Forest Hills Eastern swung the momentum the visitors' way and spoiled Reeths-Puffer's efforts to end the season with a win Friday night, instead capping 2025 with a 37-22 defeat.
The Rockets (2-7) had a 14-9 lead at halftime before the Hawks punched in a touchdown to take the lead. A surprise onside kick that FHE recovered was followed by another touchdown, and R-P was never able to recover.
Penalties plagued R-P throughout the game; on one drive, coach Cody Kater said, two different touchdowns were called back. The Rockets couldn't convert on fourth down on that series, and FHE turned that good fortune into another touchdown.
R-P was effective offensively but for the penalties. Cal Millis posted 103 rushing yards and a pair of scores, and Braylon Swain had 116 passing yards, including a scoring toss to Mason Darke, and ran for 30 more.
"If it wasn't for penalties, we moved the ball forward at all times," Kater said. "We moved the ball back and forth the entire time. The defense played well in the first half and then gave up a couple explosives in the second half. It came down to that onside kick. That's what hurt us."
It was an unfortunate way to end the season for the Rockets, who dealt with struggles all year, not least of which was a few players not electing to finish their high school careers on the gridiron. The Rockets ended up, Kater said, with five major seniors who will graduate. Kater hoped to send them out with a win, but he said they'll be better in life for the experience. The focus going forward will be on a young group that gained experience of their own but will hope to produce more wins with it next fall.
"For these guys to stick it out and play for something, that will go further in their life," Kater said. "That was the message after the game. We've been struggling these last two years, and the message to the sophomores is, 'When is enough enough? When can we take a step back and find the learning moments?'
"I'm expecting to have some tough conversations in the offseason, but at some point in time they have to turn into action. That's what we want to be about going forward."
