Rebels: Fannin downs Gilmer 42-28
What started as a close, back-and-forth battle between the Fannin County High School Rebels football team and rival Gilmer County Bobcats ended in a huge 42-28 victory for the Rebels. The Friday game was postponed by the weather and played Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m. after being postponed due to severe weather.
To start the midday game, junior Matthew Ponton squibbed an onside kick that bounced off Bobcat hands and into those of Conrad Head at Gilmer’s 35 yard line.
Three plays later, Lawson Sullivan connected with Elijah Weaver for a quick Rebel touchdown. Ponton added an extra point to put the Rebels up 7-0 in with just under a minute gone in the game.
After three Bobcat first downs, the Rebels held to give their hosts a fourth and ten near midfield.
Starting at their own 23, a big 50-yard gain by Sullivan gave Fannin good field position, but the drive stalled and the Rebels punted.
The Bobcat offense took over at the 18 yard line, but were stopped after gaining a single first down.
Starting at the 40 yard line, the Rebels could not convert a first down.
The Rebels punt left Gilmer deep in its own territory at the 10 yard line.
Gilmer marched down the field. The Rebels’ defensive line made two goal line stops, but on the third, the Bobcats scored and tied the game 7-7 with two minutes left in the first half.
Cheatham returned the Bobcat kick to the 35 yard line. Sullivan connected with Reid Holloway for a 15 yard gain. An incomplete pass was followed by Sullivan breaking free on a 50 yard run for six points. Ponton added another point with his kick to put the Rebels up 14-7 with a minute and a half left in the half.
Ponton kicked off to the 15 yard line. The Bobcat returner broke away and ran the ball all the way to the endzone for a Gilmer six. Their extra point tied the game 14-14, which is where the half ended.
Braxton Cheatham started the half when he returned the kickoff 95 yards for a quick six points. Ponton added another point putting the Rebels up 21-14 with just 15 seconds gone in the second half.
Gilmer was stopped on its first offensive series and the Rebels took over at the 35 yard line. Sullivan capped the Rebel drive with a touchdown run. Ponton added another extra point and the score was 28-14 with three and a half minutes left in the third quarter.
The Rebels ran away with the game in the fourth quarter as the first play was a fumble recovered by Case Holloway. Four plays later, Sullivan connected with Noah Burnette on a 25-yard pass play for a Rebel touchdown. With Burnette’s score and Ponton’s extra point, the Rebels led 35-14.
The Bobcats closed the gap to 35-21 on their next possession.
The Bobcats attempted an onside kick but Sullivan ended up with the ball downing it at the 48 yard line. Sullivan found a hole on the second play from scrimmage and burned the Bobcat defender for a 52 yard run to the end zone. Ponton’s extra point sailed through the uprights making the score 42-21.
Adia Galloway kicked off for the Rebels to the 20 yard line. The Bobcats marched down the field to score and close the gap to 42-28 with just over a minute left.
The Bobcats onside kick failed when Sullivan fell on the ball again at the 49 yard line. The game ended with the Rebels on offense.