Fannin County’s Rebels started region play in blowout fashion Friday night, September 13, handing the Coosa Eagles a 42-0 defeat.
The Rebels are now 1-0 in the region, and off to a perfect 4-0 mark for the season.
The two-hour trip to the Rome, Georgia, school didn’t slow down the Rebels offense as it would roll up a total of 439 yards, 401 yards coming in the first half.
Brayden Taylor returned the opening kickoff to the 25 yard line, and two plays later Carson Callihan found the end zone. Matthew Ponton’s extra point quickly made the score 7-0.
The Rebels on-side kick attempt was recovered by Eagles at their 49 yard line, but Lawson Sullivan read the first Eagle pass for an interception that put the Rebel offense back on the field.
After a series of penalties and a 28-yard by reception by Callihan, the Rebels found themselves first and ten at the 15 yard line. Sullivan finished the drive with a score, and Ponton’s PAT was good to make the score 14-0 with 9:30 left in the first quarter.
Coosa went three-and-out, and the Rebels took over at the 45 yard line.
The Rebel drive ended with a Sullivan to Braden Taylor pass for six points. Ponton’s extra point was good and the Rebels led 21-0 halfway through the first quarter.
Ponton’s kickoff resulted in a touchback, leaving the Eagles at their 20 yard line.
Fannin’s defense again forced an Eagle punt and the Rebels took over at Coosa’s 43 yard line.
Sullivan finished the drive with another Rebel touchdown and Ponton’s extra point made the score 28-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter.
After a first down by the Eagles, Fannin’s defense again forced a punt, and the first quarter ended with Fannin at Coosa’s 42 yard line with a first down.
Four plays later, Callihan crossed the goal line again, Ponton’s kick split the uprights, and the Rebels led 35-0.
After a Coosa first down, the Rebel defense forced another three-and-out. Fannin took over at their own 15 yard line. A long pass play from Sullivan to Elijah Weaver moved the Rebels to the 23 yard line in Eagles territory. When the Rebels faced fourth down, Ponton attempted a 47 yard field goal, but it was no good leaving Coosa at their 23 yard line.
The Eagles would turn the ball over on down and one play later Sullivan connected with Tucker Dockery for six points. Ponton’s extra point put the Rebels up 42-0.
The Rebels’ defensive wall stood firm again and the half ended with Fannin County in possession at the 17 yard line in Eagles territory.
The rest of Fannin’s lineup took over for the second two quarters of play.
The Eagles marched down the field to start the second half, only to be stopped cold when Cannon Holloway intercepted a pass for a touchback, giving the Rebels possession at their 20 yard line.
The two teams exchanged possessions, with the third quarter ending with a Coosa first down. After another march, the Fannin defense again stiffened and stopped the hosts short of the goal line. The Rebels took over on downs at their own 18 yard line.
After a lone first down, the Rebels were forced to punt and the hosts were pushed back to their 36 yard line.
Gavin Barnette made the next two stops and the Eagles threw an incomplete pass to end the game with a final score of 42-0.
The Rebels will travel to Dade County to continue region play Friday, September 20.