NEWPORT-An early touchdown was not enough to give the Cocke County Middle School Fighting Cocks momentum in their Thursday night matchup with Gatlinburg-Pittman Middle School.

CCMS put a touchdown on the scoreboard 2:28 into the game, but did not score again as the Highlanders punctuated the end of both halves with late touchdowns to grind out a 12-7 victory at Hedrick Field.

The loss snapped an unbeaten streak for the Fighting Cocks (1-1) that dated back to the 2008 season. CCMS defeated Rutledge Middle by a 26-14 margin on Monday night.

"We put the ball on the ground way too much tonight to come out with a win," CCMS coach Buddy Hartsell said. "The kids tonight weren't prepared like they should have been, so I take responsibility for this loss."

CCMS hit the ground running by scoring on a five-play, 58-yard drive to open the game. Running back Jack Kyker capped off the drive with a 44-yard touchdown run with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter that put the Fighting Cocks up 7-0. Kyker finished the night with 84 yards on the ground on 15 carries.

Despite the solid start, the rest of the night offensively was not as glorious for CCMS. The offense finished with only 81 net yards of total offense and fumbled the ball four times in the game.

"We started off well on the opening drive, then we just didn't execute as well the rest of the night," Hartsell said. "Key blocks here and there, we just didn't execute; but we're a young team and that will come."

The Highlanders appeared poised to answer, putting together a 13-play drive that moved the ball to the CCMS six-yard line with six minutes to play in the first half. Gatlinburg converted a pair of fourth down conversions to extend the drive, but was unable to pick up a third as they entered the red zone.

CCMS put the stops on a fourth-down and one play to preserve their lead. That preservation was short lived however.

After a three-and-out on their ensuing possession, the Highlanders took advantage of the short field to mount a three-play, 25-yard scoring drive. Gatlinburg converted a third-and-11 situation on a 26-yard pass to the tight end for the score with 2:31 to play in the half. The Highlanders attempted a two-point play on the conversion, but failed.

Gatlinburg again mounted another threat late in the half, but was stopped inside the CCMS 10-yard line as the half ended.

Both teams played through a scoreless third quarter, however the Highlanders rushing attack began to wear down the Fighting Cocks and dictate the pace of the game.

Gatlinburg ran for 72 of their 114 rushing yards in the second half and only attempted two passes in the final 16 minutes.

The rushing attack of the Highlanders did not come without controversy. Coaches on the CCMS sideline pleaded for a false start to be called on the Gatlinburg-Pittman right tackle, who was preparing to engage contact with the CCMS defensive line before the ball was snapped. Of 26 plays the Highlanders ran in the second half, the offensive line appeared to move early on all but three snaps.

"With a team that relies a lot on the ground game, it's hard to defend it when they essentially get a head start," Hartsell said. "It's a big difference when their right tackle can lock onto our tackles before the ball is even snapped."

The Highlanders high-powered ground attack finally paid off with 41 seconds to play in the game.

Gatlinburg took over after a fourth-and-2 for CCMS failed on a fumbled pitch with 4:45 to play in the game at their own 32-yard line.

From there, the Highlanders took seven plays to work themselves into a third-and-goal from the CCMS two-yard line with 41 seconds to play. Gatlinburg punched in the run from two yards out for the winning score.

CCMS attempted one last offensive possession, but three incomplete passes ended the Fighting Cocks winning streak. The Fighting Cocks return to action on August 26 as they host Jacksboro Middle School at Hedrick Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.