The Fannin County High School football team brought home a big 48-13 region win over Armuchee High School, Friday, October 17.
The Rebels opened the game with a touchdown scoring drive. Braden Walker returned the kickoff to the 35 yard line. Carries by Judah Wood and Bryson Cole, along with a Nate O’Neal pass to Wood, ended with a Cole touchfown and extra point from Matthew Ponton. Fannin held a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Ponton followed the extra point with an onside kickoff, and Braxton Cheatham made the recovery to put the Rebel offense on the field. Cannon Holloway checked in at quarterback and led the Rebels down the field, a touchdown coming on a quick pass to Reid Holloway who ran it in for the score. With Ponton’s extra point, Fannin’s lead jumped to 14-0.
Defensive efforts by CJ Reece, Scotty Waldrep, Walker, Cheatham, and Noah Burnette forced Armuchee to punt from inside their end zone.
The Rebels fair caught the punt at the 35 yard line in Armuchee territory. After a trio of runs by Cole, O’Neal connected with Wood who took the ball to the end zone. Ponton’s extra point made the score 21-0, still in the first quarter.
The Rebels again forced a fourth down behind efforts from Karson Brown, Wood, Head, Reece and Waldrep.
The Rebels took over on their 30 yard line with Conrad Holloway rotating in again at quarterback. A pass to Cheatham, and runs by the quarterback and Cole ended with Cole scoring on a three-yard dash. Ponton’s extra point made it 28-0 with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.
Again, after the kickoff, the Rebel defense forced a three and out behind Cole, Burnette and Casen Bailey.
The Rebel offense took over at their 39 yard line, but this time was forced to punt.
The Indians went three and out as Isaac Watkins made a stop, Reece pressured the quarterback, and a pass fell incomplete.
C. Holloway checked in and completed a pass to Brody Burnette who ran it to the 10 yard line. From there, Cole crossed the goal line to finish the drive. With Ponton’s extra point, the score was 35-0.
On the next possession, Cheatham read an Indian pass to catch an interception and ran it in for a touchdown. Adia Galloway kicked the extra point to put Fannin on top 42-0.
Tristan Bernier kicked off for the Rebels; the Indians fumbled and the Rebels recovered at the 30 yard line. The offense was stopped and a field goal try was unsuccessful.
Several younger players began making appearances for the Rebels as Reese Sisson, Brantley Merrell and Liam Highley led the defense to force an Indian fourth down.
When the Rebels took over, Braxson Newton checked in at quarterback where a hand off to Bailey didn’t gain any yardage. Garrison Ensley made a catch for first down. Bernier ran for nine yards. Preson ran up the middle for nine and the first down before Preston ran again for six to end the first half.
After a Bernier kickoff and stop by Jackson Thigpen, the Rebels forced a turnover on downs. Ensley, Bowen Barnett and Madden Deeter all stood out on the defensive effort.
The Rebels next possession ended when Newton connected with Henson in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown. A bad snap caused for no extra point to make the score 48-0, which ended the third quarter.
The hosts scored on their next drive to make the score 48-7 midway through the fourth quarter. An onside Armuchee kick put the Indian offense at midfield. The Indians broke away for a score. With a failed extra point, the gap had closed to 48-13.
Fannin’s defense stiffened behind Cash Cochran, Hunter Kennedy, Elijah Ensley, Thigpen and B. Barnette. A fumbled snap ended the game with a Fannin victory.
The Rebels will host Christian Heritage Friday, October 24, for their Senior Night game. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m. with the Senior Night ceremony prior to the game.