The Fannin County High School Rebels football team took a big 38 to 14 win over the 515 rival Gilmer County Friday, August 25.
The Rebels got off to a hot start during the first quarter of the game as quarterback Lawson Sullivan ran 41 yards for the Rebels’ first six points. Matthew Ponton’s kick was good and the Rebels were off to a 7-0 start on their home turf.
Junior Carson Callihan then capitalized on a Gilmer turnover at the one yard line and walked the ball into the end zone for another six points. Another Ponton kick and Fannin led 14-0.
The defensive stood their ground, not allowing the Bobcats to find the end zone. CJ Reece, John Holsonback, Callihan, and Cooper Born all worked to make stops for the Rebels.
Gilmer gained a bit of hope with a seven-yard run before Jacob Dye came off the line to make the tackle to round out the first quarter.
The Bobcats moved down the field before Dye made the stop for fourth down at the nine-yard line. The Bobcats passed for a touchdown and their extra point was good making the score 14-7 with just over eight minutes left in the half.
Cole Stevenson made a fair catch on the kickoff and the Rebels started at their 26-yard line.
The Rebels punted and Gilmer took over at their 30-yard line. Fannin’s defense responded when Callihan recovered a fumble at Gilmer’s 44 yard line.
The Rebels marched down the field ended on a 17-yard run by Callihan for six points. Ponton’s extra point was good putting the Rebels up 21-7.
The kickoff was fumbled by the Bobcats and Baylor Twiggs recovered it at the 37-yard line in Gilmer territory.
Stevenson made the catch for a first down at the 15-yard line. An unsportsmanlike on the Bobcats put the Rebels on the seven yard line. Ponton put in a field goal from the 33-yard line adding three more to the Rebel total for a 24-7 lead. That’s where the half ended.
Ponton kicked off to the Gilmer 30 yard line to start the half. The Bobcats earned a first down after three plays then broke away to the 11-yard line. Gilmer drove it in for a touchdown and their extra point was good, putting the score at 24-14.
The Rebel offense took over at the 20-yard line, but after first downs from Sullivan and Callihan, the Rebels were forced to punt.
Fannin’s defense built a concrete wall, stopping the visitors without a first down.
Callihan capped off the next Fannin possession when he ran for 26 yards, breaking through multiple Bobcats for a Fannin touchdown. Ponton’s extra point was good to make the score 31-14.
John Holsonback stopped Gilmer’s next possession when he recovered a fumble for the Rebels.
The next Rebel drive stalled when Gilmer forced a punt. The Rebels returned the favor and held the Bobcats for four downs as Conrad Head played great coverage.
Sullivan made the fair catch at the 37-yard line. Callihan and Sullivan combined to pace the offensive march down the field before Sullivan took it to the house for another touchdown. Ponton sent the extra point attempt through the cross bars making the score 38 -14.
After Gilmer manged a first down after the kickoff, Judah Wood and Braxton Cheatham made big defensive stops before Head intercepted the ball to end the game.
The Rebels play the Pickens County Dragons at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Jasper.