The Fannin County Rebels football team took a region-opening 35-15 win over the Coosa Eagles Friday, September 12, in Blue Ridge.
The win came on the balanced strength of the offensive and defensive units, the offense covering over 400 yards and the starting defense holding the visitors to Fannin County High School at under 100.
The game began with a solid offensive march by the Rebels after Braden Walker returned the kickoff. Runs by Bryson Cole and quarterback Nate O’Neal, and an O’Neal to Reid Holloway pass moved the ball downfield to set up a touchdown run by Cole. The Rebels scored and with Matthew Ponton’s extra point took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Rebel defense forced a three-and-out on Coosa’s first possession thanks to a stop by CJ Reece and a tackle for loss by Cole.
The Rebels started at their own 31 yard line, striking on the first play when Cole covered the 69 yards to the end zone. Ponton added the extra point to put the Rebels ahead 14-0.
Judah Wood made a big special teams stop on the kickoff at the 18 yard line. Conrad Head made a solo tackle, a host of Rebels shut down a run, and Wood broke up a deep pass to bring up forth down. This second three-and-out forced by the Rebels resulted in the Eagles punting away to Fannin’s 35 yard line.
After a incomplete pass, a Cole run flipped the field to the other 35 yard line where Cole, Holloway, and Wood combined to earn yardage before Cole finished the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown. With Ponton’s PAT, the score was 21-0.
The Eagles took over, and the Reece brothers both made stops to force a turnover. A fumbled ball ended up in the Eagles’ possession at their 33 yard line. Braxton Cheatham then read a pass to haul in an interception at the 24 yard line.
Cole marched his way to the 35. Holloway and Wood earned some yardage, and Cole gained the first down. Wood finished the drive with a score, and Ponton added an extra point to make the score 28-0 in the second quarter.
Karson Brown made the special teams stop to leave the Eagles on the 33 yard line. Cole made a tackle for loss then a penalty with a Wood stop and an incomplete pass brought up fourth down.
The Rebels took over where Holloway and Cole both earned back to back first downs. A Wood catch was followed by an Eagle stop in the backfield and two in completions, leading to a turnover on downs.
Isaiah Stephens made a stop then an Eagle pass fell incomplete. Reece and Scotty Waldrep both made stops then Baylor Twiggs jumped on a loose ball to put the Rebel offense on the 30 yard line.
Cole and O’Neal runs weren’t enough, and Casen Bailey punted away to the Eagle’s 26 yard line. After incomplete passes with Cheatham in coverage and a Noah Burnette stop, the Eagles got rid of the ball and Wood returned it to the 41 yard line.
O’Neal passed to Cheatham who took it the distance to score. With the Ponton PAT, the score was 35-0.
Garrison Ensley made the special teams stop, then Waldrep had a big tackle for loss to end the half.
Brown, Reece, and Waldrep all pocketed tackles to start the second half. With an incomplete pass, the Eagles punted, but a roughing the kicker penalty allowed them the first down.
Reece Sission made two stops followed by an Ensley tackle, but the Eagles managed a first down. Waldrep made another stop then Cheatham and Jacob Green shut down a runner. The Eagles settled for a field goal to add three points to the board. The score totaled 35-3.
After a Wood run, Braxson Newton checked in at quarterback. Two Bailey runs weren’t enough to move the chains, and the Rebels turned it over on downs, giving Coosa the ball at 32 yard line.
Ryan Preston made a tackle, then Ethan Majors had a quarterback rush for an incompletion.
Jackson Thigpen and Cash Cochran both made stops, but the Eagles managed a touchdown. Without the PAT, the score was 35-9.
An on side kick was recovered by the Eagles. Castle Barnett and Adrian Ruiz earned stops, but the Eagles managed another score before the clock expired to make the final score 35-15.
The Rebels will host Dade County for the homecoming game this Friday.