Fannin County struck for seven points on their first drive, paving the way to a 28-22 football win over the Union County Panthers Saturday in Blue Ridge.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Bryson Cole picked up a first down on the first play of the drive, then hauled in a Nate O’Neal pass for the Rebels second first down.
Another O’Neal pass, this one to Reid Holloway, gave the Rebels another first down, then a long throw form O’Neal to Cole gave the hosts a first down on the Union County five yard line.
O’Neal put Fannin’s first six pionts on the board and Matthew Ponton added the extra point. With 7:43 to go in the opening quarter, the hosts led 7-0.
Fannin’s defense took the field and dominated Union County, forcing a punt.
The Rebels began backed up to their own two yard line, but Jasper Mealer broke loose for 26 yards on the second play to move the ball to the 33.
Union’s defense stiffened, forcing a Rebel punt.
After starting at their own 33 yard line, the Panthers moved steadily down field until the Rebels defense stopped the march with a
fourth and goal from the five yard line. A field goal closed the gap to 7-3 in Fannin’s favor with 7:44 to go in the half.
Braxton Cheatham picked up the Union kickoff at Fannin’s 19 and returned it to the 30.
The Rebels punted and Isaiah Stephens made a big stop on the returner at Union’s 21 yard line.
The Panthers were forced to punt, but got a break when the ball was fumbled and they recovered at Fannin County’s 30 yard line.
Their advantage was short lived when Karson Brown intercepted a Panther’ pass at Fannin’s 13 yard line. At their point, only 59 seconds were left in the half. With 40 of those seconds gone, the Rebels had added seven more points.
The touchdown came on a 74-yard run by Nate Holloway, with Ponton adding the extra point for a 14-3 Rebel lead that held up until halftime.
Fannin County tried an onside kick to open the second half, but the ball was recovered by the visitors at Fannin’s 49 yard line.
The defense stopped a Union march, and Fannin’s offense took over at the 34.
The Rebels systematically made their way down the field until Cole scored six points on a one-yard run. Ponton’s kick was true, giving Fannin a 21-3 lead with 5:41 to go in the third stanza.
With 2:54 to go in the third, Union County completed a 39-yard touchdown pass and added the extra point, pulling to within 11 at 21-10.
With the Rebels threatening on their next drive, a snap went over the quarterback’s head and was recovered by the Panthers at their own 33 yard line.
The Panthers capitalized by adding six points. When they went for the two-point conversion, Judah Wood came up with an interception, holding the score at 21-16.
Fannin struck for seven more points on their next possession, the touchdown coming on a six-yard run by Cole with 2:54 to go in the game. Ponton’s kick was true, giving the Rebels a 28-16 lead.
Union sturck back, and with 41 second added a touchdown on a two-yard run to trail 28-22. the point after failed.
When the Panthers attempted an onside kickoff, Body Burnette came up with the ball for the Rebels. The game ended a few seconds later with Fannin