High School sports is an important part of any community. The amount of support Fannin County High School gets from the community is almost unmatched. However, due to the current pandemic, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has ordered all campuses close the remainder of the school year.
GHSA director Robin Hines stated that all activities and sports are canceled for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. FCHS seniors that participate in spring sports will now lose the chance to take the field one last time.
Both the Rebels and Lady Rebels soccer teams were set to play their final home game and have senior night April 8, against Coahulla Creek. Seven seniors gave their all this year, which was enough for the Lady Rebels to have a 3-3-2 record, while the Rebels had a 4-1-2 record.
CHANDLER BOND
Chandler Bond is one of the seven seniors that was a leader for the Rebels soccer team. Bond is the son of Dr. Robert K. Bond and Dr. Cory Bond. Soccer was a very important part of Bond’s life since he was old enough to play recreational soccer at the Fannin County Recreation Department in 2005.
Bond was the goal keeper for the Georgia Olympic Development teams in 2016-2018, and also plays goalkeeper for the Cherokee Impact, a 19-U National League team that won the 2019 Atlanta Cup.
After high school, Bond plans to further his academic and soccer career with Truett-McConnell University. Bond plans to achieve a degree in Physical Therapy while playing soccer.
SARAH SOSEBEE
Sarah Sosebee is the next senior, who has been a rock for the Lady Rebels soccer team. Sosebee is the daughter of Mike and Tracy Sosebee, and is the sister of Hannah and Hallie Sosebee. She has played primarily center midfielder for all four years, and has played school and travel soccer for the past 13 years.
Sosebee was the Lady Rebels Team Captain in her junior and senior year.
Sosebee was also the kicker of the FCHS football team, kicking for three years and was the number five PAT kicker in triple A football in Georgia with 81 career points.
Sosebee is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars.
She has earned a state certification in exercise science and Sports Medicine, and during her high school career she has been a member of HOSA and an Athletic Trainer.
Sosebee is currently enrolled at UNG and will transfer to UNG Dahlonega in the Fall. She wants to continue her education and earn a doctorate in dermatology to continue mission work in Haiti and other areas of great need.
HOLDEN ROGERS
Holden Rogers is the next senior, and is the son of Brent Rogers and Sherece Manchester. When he isn’t at school or playing soccer, he likes reading, paddle boarding on the Toccoa and discussing politics.
He plans to train as a zip-line and raft guide this summer at Raft One on the Ocoee. He has really enjoyed his engineering classes at Fannin and is hoping to continue his education in the fall, at Kennesaw State or Georgia Tech, to pursue a career in engineering.
TRISTAN CHEVES
Tristan Cheves has cemented himself as one of the most versatile soccer players to come through Fannin County. He has played Varsity for FCHS for four years, mainly as midfielder but also plays on defense and offense. He has been captain at FCHS for three years.
He lettered his freshman year and has received two Captain’s Awards. All Region Award and All Region First Team in eleventh grade, along with various accolades.
Cheves has played soccer for 10 years starting with Fannin Recreation Department, then playing three years for Cherokee Impact’s travel team and National Premier League. He also played for GA ODP (Olympic Development Team). In December, he had the opportunity to play in the Disney International Tournament as well as various college showcase tournaments.
He has earned a state certification in Exercise Science & Sports Medicine and a CNA certification.
He went with FCA on the Japan Mission Trip his freshman year and teaches private & group soccer lessons in the community.
Cheves currently has several colleges recruiting him for college soccer. He will be making his decision in the near future. He also plans to study Exercise Science and pursue professional soccer.
ETHAN MANN
Ethan Mann was also a senior on the Rebels soccer team. Mann brought leadership to the table and is the son of Susie Mann. Mann also played football, wrestling and track and was a member in the FFA and FBLA.
One of his favorite moments was dressing up country for GAC and he plans on attending UNG in the fall.
SYDNIE JONES
Sydnie Jones is another senior that leaves behind a solid track record on the Lady Rebels soccer team. Jones is the daughter of Melinda and Anthony Jones. She plays goalkeeper and forward. Jones has played rec league soccer, travel and high school soccer, tallying four years on the Lady Rebels varsity squad.
Jones also played volleyball. Jones said her favorite sport memory is, “When we were playing soccer in a mother’s day tournament and I blocked a shot while playing goalie with my face.”
Jones has won the 2017 Coaches Award, 2018 Defensive Player of the Year, 2019 Most Valuable Player, All Region First Team and leading scorer for the team.
She plans to attend North Georgia Tech for two years while interning at a local pre-school, then start working on opening her own daycare. She said, “I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me and going above and beyond to help with my soccer career, my brothers for always challenging me, and my grandparents for always sitting through those cold and rainy nights to cheer me on.”
ALYSSA GOODWIN
Alyssa Goodwin is another experienced senior who has played soccer all four years of high school, and six years total. She is the daughter of Kelly and Robert Goodwin and plays on the defensive side of the ball at either sweeper or stopper.
Goodwin also competes in track, cross country and wrestling.
She is also a member of the Key Club.
Her favorite soccer memory is, “Playing with my favorite girls and sleeping on the bus.” Goodwin’s future plans include getting married and going to college all while serving in the National Guard. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my family,” said Goodwin.