The Fannin County Rebels football team took a win in their final preseason scrimmage, 41-14, over the White County Warriors, Friday, August 8.
The Rebels were calm and collected, taking an early lead in just six plays with a Cannon Holloway pass to Judah Wood. Kicker Adia Galloway rounded out the drive with the extra point, putting the Rebels up 7-0.
The Rebel defense took over and applied the pressure as seniors CJ Reece and Karson Brown went to work. Reece made multiple stops, and Brown read a pass for an interception that put the Rebel offense back on the field.
Nate O’Neal switched in at quarterback and quickly took it to the endzone for another Rebel score. Matthew Ponton added an extra point, giving the Rebels a 14-0 lead.
On defense, Reece, Scott Waldrep and Bryson Cole all contributed to stops before a Warrior fumble, putting Fannin’s offense back on the field.
Holloway returned as QB and completed a pass to Braxton Cheatham, but didn’t pass the first down marker. That forced a Fannin punt.
Brown, Holloway, Conrad Head and Baylor Twiggs each made quick stops against the host Warriors to bring up fourth down.
A run by Cole flipped the field and put the Rebels on their 30. Wood and Cason Bailey combined to get the first down, then Cole finished the drive with a score. Without the extra point, the Rebels led 20-0.
Waldrep, Head, Reece, and Garrison Ensley all made stops to end the quarter.
The Rebels offense took over and quickly punted away, where Reece made the stop. Head, Cheatham, and Waldrep each had a tackle. Another Rebel interception put the Rebels on their five yard line.
O’Neal checked back in at quarterback and handed off to Cole for the rushing score. With a Ponton extra point, the score was 27-0.
After two stops and a penalty flag, the Warriors earned a first down, which was followed by a breakaway run to the one yard line. The Warriors scored and, with an extra point, made the score 27-7 with three minutes left in the half.
Holloway went in at quarterback and worked with a bad snap to gain the first down. After two incomplete passes and a Cole run for three yards, the Rebels punted.
At the half, the score was 27-7.
To start the second half, on defense, Isaiah Stephens, Jacob Green, and Head all made stops, but a Warrior long ball put them at first and goal. The Warriors scored, making it 27-14.
Holloway was in the backfield with Cole, who ran for a first down, then Holloway kept it himself for a first down. Holloway and Cole chipped away at the yardage, and Cole finished the drive with the score. Galloway’s extra point was good, and the score was 34-14.
The Rebel defense went to work for a quick Warrior four-and-out. Ryan Preston came in to run the ball and earned the first down. O’Neal passed to Tristan Bernier to complete the drive with the final score of the game, and Galloway’s extra point made the score 41-14.
For the rest of the game, Braxson Newton checked in at QB, and Bailey, Preston, and Cash Cochran worked the runs. Defensively, Tucker Griggs, Parker Born, and many other young Rebels got in on the action.
The Rebels will open their season at home against the Gilmer Bobcats, Friday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m.