Two undefeated teams in Region 7AA squared off in Fannin County on a chilly night Friday, October 30.
The undefeated Rebels hosted the undefeated in region play Model Blue Devils as the Rebels looked to keep their undefeated streak alive.
Fannin County dominated both lines of scrimmage and were able to jump out to an early lead and keep it as they topped the Devils 42-7.
Fannin County won the toss and elected to receive as Jake Sands brought the kickoff out to the Rebels own 35-yard line. Jalen Ingram got the Rebels going as he caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Luke Holloway to move the sticks. After a run for no gain and an incomplete pass, Holloway found Ingram on third down to move the chains to Model’s 37-yard line for a first down.
The Rebels got down to the 20-yard line before the Model defense held the Rebels and forced a turnover on downs.
Model started at their own 20-yard line and began to run the ball. Big plays from Mason Bundy and Cohutta Hyde forced the Devils to punt, but Micah O’Neal was able to block the punt, setting the Rebels up at the Model 25-yard line.
This time the Rebels would not be denied as Holloway found Hyde on the first play for a 25-yard touchdown dart. After the extra point by Jack Canter, the Rebels led 7-0 with 4:30 to go in the first quarter.
A couple of scoreless possessions from both teams later, and Cason Owensby along with O’Neal forced the Devils to punt back to the Rebels as Hyde returned the ball to Model’s 41-yard line.
Hyde caught a big pass from Holloway to the Devil’s 30-yard line, followed by a 5-yardyard quarterback keeper to the 25. Running Back Caleb Postell muscled his way to the 13-yard line to set up a first down for the Rebels.
Holloway found Ingram on a 13-yard airmail touchdown on the next play and after the Catner extra point, the Rebels took a 14-0 lead over Model with 9:50 to go in the second quarter.
Model got the ball and marched down to their own 47-yard line, where the Rebels forced a fumble on fourth down. Model recovered the fumble, but the play resulted in a turnover on downs, giving the Rebels the ball at the Devil’s 47-yard line.
The Rebels wasted no time as Hyde darted from the line of scrimmage and Holloway found him on a 47-yard touchdown strike. After the extra point, the Rebels led 21-0 with 6:20 to go in the second.
The Devils failed to get anything going offensively on the next possession as they punted back to the Rebels. The Rebels continued their air raid, with Seth Reece and Andre Bivens making plays to get the Rebels to their own 49-yard line.
Holloway dropped back and found Hyde on the next play for a 51-yard touchdown haul, and after the extra point, the Rebels were up 28-0 where the score remained until halftime.
Model got the ball to start the third, but the Rebels defense stopped the Devils and forced a punt. Model’s defense bowed it’s back however, forcing the Rebels to punt back to the Devils. Model made it to Fannin’s 22-yard line, before the Devil’s fumble and the Rebels recovered. Fannin tried to get rolling, but was forced to punt after going four and out. Fannin’s defense held strong however, and forced Model to punt back to the Rebels. Hyde returned the punt back to the Devil’s 33-yard line where the Rebels set up shop.
The Rebels found themselves in a fourth and 21 situation as Holloway dropped back and lasered Ingram, who made a circus catch from 30-yards out for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Rebels led 35-0 with 11:46 to go in the fourth.
Model got the ball back and with their backs against the wall, they began forcing throws down the field. Reece snatched a Model pass for a Rebel interception and Fannin quickly converted as Holloway kept the ball and ran 24-yards to paydirt. After the extra point, Fannin led 42-0 with 8:40 to go in the game.
Model was able to score in the final minutes of the game as the Rebels hung on to win the game 42-7 and remain undefeated at 6-0.
Holloway finished the game with 315 yards through the air and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 27 yards and a score. Hyde led the wide outs with 157 yards and three touchdowns on five catches. Ingram had six catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns as well. Bivens had 27 yards receiving and Reece had 41 yards.
On defense Micah O’Neal had two tackles for loss and a punt block, finishing the game with eight tackles.
Andrew Waldrep had 8 tackles as well, three tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Reece also had a good game on defense, snatching an interception.
Carson Collis caused a fumble on defense as well.
The Rebels will travel to Summerville Georgia Saturday, November 7, to take on the Chattooga Indians. The region game is set to kick off at 5 p.m.