Ponton’s PAT marks 150th point scored
The Fannin County Rebels football team pocketed a 21-14 win over region opponent Dade County, Friday, September 19.
The Rebels took the opening kickoff and marched into the Wolverines territory before being forced to turn the ball over on downs.
CJ Reece and Karson Brown dominated the Rebels’ defensive efforts and forced the Wolverines to punt.
The Rebels began their second possession at their own 24 yard line. After one first down, Fannin was stopped and forced to punt.
Dade took over at the 26 yard line, but defensive stops by Judah Wood, Brown and Isaac Watkins forced a punt.
The Rebels took over at the 30 yard line on the other end of the field. A 70-yard pass from Nate O’Neal to an open Braxton Cheatham put the Rebels first six points on the scoreboard. With Matthew Ponton’s extra point, the score was 7-0 in the first quarter.
Dade got the ball back at the 25 yard line where Reece and Brown made quick work, causing the Wolverines to go 4-and-out to put the Rebel offense back on the field.
The Rebels stalled and were forced to punt after starting at their own 27 yard line.
Brown, Reece, Wood, and Scotty Waldrep worked on defense, each getting tackles. Dade was again forced to punt.
A Rebel fumble gave Dade the ball 25 yards from the goal line.
Wood stopped Dade in their tracks with an interception, flipping the field to put the Rebels on Dade’s 21 yard line.
Dade forced a field goal attempt, blocked the kick and took over at the 25 yard line.
Fannin’s defense stiffened again, forcing a punt.
The Rebels were stopped by an interception that led to a Dade County touchdown. With their PAT, the score was tied 7-7 going into halftime.
Dade started the second half on offense and the teams quickly exchanged punts.
Then Brayden Walker hauled in one of his three receptions on the night for six points and a 13-7 Fannin County lead. Ponton’s PAT was true, giving Fannin a 14-7 lead.
Fannin’s defense again rose to the occasion, forcing a Dade County punt.
The Rebels marched down the field as the final quarter started, capping the drive with a four yard touchdown run by Wood. Ponton’s kick, which marked his 150th career extra point, made the score 21-7.
Dade bounced back with a touchdown pass on their next possession, added the extra point,
and pulled to within 21-14 early in the fourth quarter.
A run by Bailey and two receptions by Walker netted Rebel first downs on the next drive, but in the end Dade County forced a Fannin punt.
After Conrad Head made the first defensive stop after the punt, Wood made a score-saving stop as Dade flipped the field to the Fannin 30 yard line.
Waldrep, Watkins and Noah Burnette combined defensively to force a turnover on downs.
Despite a first down, the Rebels were forced to punt and the Wolverines took over at their own 28 yard line.
The Rebel defense again rose to the task and with 10 seconds left, an incomplete pass and a stop by Reece and Brown ended the game with the 21-14 Rebel win.
The Rebels will travel to Gordon Central High School to continue region play Friday, September 26, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.