Rebels: Fannin to host Jeff Davis High School Friday night
The Fannin County High School Rebels clinched their spot in the Sweet Sixteen round of the Georgia High School Association state football playoffs with a 41-7 win over Vidalia High School Indians last Friday night.
The Rebels received the opening kickoff and began an offensive drive to set the pace for the game. Runs by Lawson Sullivan and Carson Callihan and a catch by Elijah Weaver moved the ball down the field, the driving ending on a touchdown run by Sullivan. Matthew Ponton added the extra point to put Fannin ahead 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Luke Holsonback, Braden Taylor and CJ Reece led Fannin’s defense to force a three-and-out and punt for the Indians on their first possession.
A lost fumble gave the ball right back to the Indians, but as the visitors moved down the field, Taylor grabbed a Fannin interception.
Callihan took the ball for a first down on the first run of the drive and finished the drive, crossing the goal line. Sandwiched in between were pass completions to Weaver and Tucker Dockery, and a run by Sullivan. Ponton’s PAT sailed through the uprights making the score 14-0 late in the opening quarter.
The Rebels met the Indian kickoff returner at the 19 yard line then Reece, Cooper Hilliard and Baylor Twiggs made stops to end the first quarter and force another Indian punt.
The Rebels started the second quarter on their own 32 yard line. Led by a 36 yard Sullivan to Weaver completed pass. The Rebels moved down the field until Sullivan finished the drive with a one yard rush for six points. Ponton’s extra point was good making the score 21-0 in the second quarter.
After two Indian first downs, Cooper Born made the read to pick off an Indian pass at the Rebels’ 20 yard line.
Three plays later, Sullivan finished the drive with a 69 yard run to the end zone. Ponton’s PAT was good, and the Rebels lead 28-0 with just under four minutes left in the half.
Defensive stops by Holsonback and Born, and pressure from Reece that forced the Indian quarterback out of bounds, forced another Indian punt.
The following Rebel drive ended with a missed field goal.
The half ended with a tackle for loss by Scott Waldrep.
The Indian offense moved down the field, losing the ball on downs at Fannin County’s 21 yard line.
After a Vidalia punt, a Sullivan pass to Judah Wood helped move the ball toward the Indian goal line before Sullivan broke free for a 49 yard touchdown run. This gave the Rebels a 34-0 lead.
A big hit on an Indian ball carrier by Waldrep and Holsonback caused a fumble that Dockery recovered, putting the Rebel offense back on the field at the 31 yard line.
Callihan finished the following Rebel drive with a one yard rush for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good making the score 41-0 late in the third.
Vidalia’s following possession ended with a turnover on downs at the Indian 48 yard line.
Bryson Cole checked in at running back for a four yard run to end the third quarter. This Rebel drive would be stopped, and the Indians took over following a Fannin punt.
This time the Indians found the end zone, added the extra point and made the score 41-7 with five minutes left in the game.
After Cheatham returned the kickoff to the 36 yard line, Cole took over ball carrying duties and gained two first down before the game ended with Fannin at the Indian 43 yard line to end the game.
The Rebels will host Jeff Davis High School for the Sweet Sixteen game Friday, November 22, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.