The Fannin County Rebel football team left no doubt who the number one team in AA Region 7 is Friday, October 22, when they hosted the Chattooga Indians in front of a packed home crowd.
Both Fannin and Chattooga went into the game undefeated in region play, with the Indians 4-0 and Fannin 3-0.
The Rebels fired from all cylinders from the opening kick as they pushed past the Indians for a huge 42-7 victory.
Chattooga won the toss and deferred to the second half as they kicked the ball off to Fannin to start the game.
Carter Mann set the tone as he had a big return to the Indians’ 30 yard line. With David Mashburn in at quarterback, he kept the ball for a five yard run to put the ball at the 25 yard line. With Cason Owensby in at running back, he strung off 11 yards on two runs to put the ball at Chattooga’s 14 yard line. Workhorse Seth Reece checked into the game at quarterback and muscled his way down to the two yard line on a quarterback keeper to set up first and goal.
Reece punched the ball in from two yards out on the next play to put Fannin on the board. After a good extra point from Jack Kantner, the Rebels led 7-0 with 10:08 to go in the first quarter.
The Rebel defense had a strong showing the majority of the night, holding the Indians scoreless until the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Owensby started the defense off with a bang as he got a sack, followed by Andrew Waldrep wrapping up the ball carrier for no gain. A flag gave Chattooga a loss of down, and they were forced to punt on fourth and 15 as the Rebels took over from their own 19-yard line.
Owensby ran six yards to the 25 yard line, and Austin Garland fought his way to the Rebels’ 37 yard line for a fresh set of downs.
The Rebels continued the ground and pound with Reece, Garland and Bryson Holloway breaking off big runs to get to the Chattooga nine yard line. Owensby busted a nine-yard touchdown run right up the gut on the next play to extend the Rebels lead 14-0 with 3:33 to go in the first quarter after Kantner’s extra point.
The Indians started their drive at their own 40 yard line, but Chattooga could only gain four yards in three attempts as Waldrep had a big tackle for loss to force the Indians to punt.
Fannin took the punt out to their own 46 yard line as Garland began shifting and juking through the gaps in Chattooga’s defensive line to get to the Indians' 33 yard line.
Reece had a couple of quarterback runs to get to the five yard line before Holloway was able to muscle his way into paydirt on a five yard touchdown run. After the extra point from Kantner, the Rebels led 21-0 with 10:44 to go in the second quarter.
The Indians got the ball at their own 40 yard line, but they yielded no results as Fannin forced them to punt.
Chattooga was able to hold the Rebels this time, however, as Fannin punted for the first time of the game to give the ball back to the Indians at their own 30 yard line with six minutes to go in the first half.
Chattooga fumbled on the very next play, and Logan Long was able to fall on the ball to give the Rebels the ball back at Chattooga’s 30-yard line.
A few plays later Reece busted into the endzone on a 13-yard touchdown run, and after the Kantner extra point, Fannin led 28-0 where the score remained until halftime.
After homecoming festivities, the Indians got the ball to start the third quarter, but Fannin’s defense was too much as they forced a punt and took over at the Indians 30 yard line. Reece kept the drive alive when he found Mann on a nine yard rope to move the chains to the 19 yard line.
Chattooga was able to intercept a pass shortly after to give them the ball back. Corbin Davenport and the Rebel defense locked the Indians down and forced a quick punt back to Fannin. The Rebels started their drive from their own 21 yard line and this time they would not be denied as Reece, Owensby and Garland ran all the way to Chattooga’s four yard line where Reece capitalized on a four yard touchdown run for his third touchdown of the night. After the Kantner extra point, the Rebels led 35-0 with four seconds to go in the third quarter.
Chattooga got the ball but could not move the chains, as Fannin took over at midfield. Holloway and Mashburn ran to the 16 yard line before Garland tightroped his way into the endzone for a 16 yard touchdown scamper. After the extra point, Fannin led 42-0 with 5:42 remaining in the game.
Chattooga got the ball and was able to find a crease along the sideline to eventually score as time expired and Fannin came away with a hefty 42-7 victory over the Chattooga Indians.
The Rebels will travel to Coosa Friday, October 29, and a win for Fannin would clinch the region title. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.