The Fannin County High School Rebels football team faced off against region foe Greater Atlanta Christian, on the last home game of the season Friday, November 8. The Rebels started out strong behind explosive runs from Treylyn Owensby, but the Rebels fell short in the second half losing 42-21 on senior night. The Rebels won the toss to start the game and elected to defer. The Spartans brought the ball out to their own 40-yard line as Carson Beavers made the tackle.
Micah O’Neal had a big sack to bring up second and 13 at the GAC 47-yard line. The Spartans then broke off a run for a first down. The Spartans moved into the red zone and eventually scored, but the Rebels defense made them earn it. After the GAC extra point, the Spartans led Fannin 7-0 with 7:32 to go in the first quarter.
After the touchback, the Rebels started at their own 20-yard line. Owensby and Will Mosley tried to generate yards on the ground, but the Spartans defense forced the Rebels to turn the ball over on downs as the Spartans set up shop at their own 38-yard line. A few plays later GAC was able to score on a 10-yard touchdown pass. After the extra point GAC led 14-0 with 3:06 to go in the first.
Andre Bivens brought the GAC kick out to the Rebel’s 21-yard line as Luke Holloway and the Rebels offense set up shop. Mosley gained a yard on a run and the Holloway dropped back and found JoJo Goodwin through the air to move the ball to the Rebel’s 35-yard line. Seth Reece then caught a pass to the Fannin’s 45-yard line for a fresh set of downs.
The Spartans locked up however, and forced the Rebels into a third and nine situation from the 46-yard line. Holloway used his speed and was able to run for a first down to the Spartan 43-yard line. The first down run sparked the Rebels offense and Fannin pushed down the field behind Holloway Mosley and Owensby. Owensby was able to punch the ball in from nine yards out on a swing pass to the left to slice into the GAC lead.
After the Sarah Sosebee kick, the Spartans led 14-7 with 7:27 to go in the second quarter. GAC answered quickly on a 53-yard touchdown run and after the extra point led 21-7 with 6:28 to go in the second.
The Rebels offense continued to heat up however, as they got the ball back. Owensby was able to find the hole and make a 65-yard house call on the ground to stay with the Spartans. After the Sosebee extra point, GAC led 21-14 with 5:06 to go in the second.
GAC returned the kickoff to their own 36-yard line. A few plays later the Spartans were able to score from one yard out to increase their lead. After the extra point the Spartans led 28-14 with 3:55 to go in the second quarter. The Spartans held the Rebels and was able to score one more time before the half as they led Fannin 35-14 after the extra point.
Fannin got the ball to start the third quarter and was unable to generate point as they punted to GAC. The Rebels held the Spartans thanks to big stops by Beavers, JoJo Goodwin and the defensive line. The Rebels got the ball back at their own 13-yard line. Owensby collected six yards on three run plays as the Rebels was forced to punt back to GAC.
Neither team scored in the remainder of the third quarter as GAC had the ball at the Rebels 31-yard line to start the fourth quarter. The Spartans were able to punch it in from three yards out to increase their lead 42-14 after the extra point, with 10:54 to go in the fourth.
After a scoreless possesion by the Rebels, Reece came up with a big interception. The Rebels were able to string together a drive later in the fourth quarter and Owensby punched the ball in from two yards out to trim the GAC lead. After the Sosebee extra point, GAC led 42-21 where the score remained until the final buzzer.
The Rebels will face off against Cedar Grove Saturday, November 16, at Buck Godfrey Stadium in Dekalb County, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.