Win: Fannin Rebels extend streak to 6-0
The Fannin County High School football Rebels continued their winning streak Saturday afternoon when the Gordon Cenrtal Warriors became their sixth victim against no defeats.
Fannin treated the homecoming crowd to a 38-6 win as an on again, off again rain fell in Rebel stadium during the game postponed from Friday night. The victory over the Calhoun school also gave Fannin a 3-0 mark in region play.
Judah Wood returned the ball to the 20 yard line to start the game for Fannin. The Rebels marched down the field behind runs by Lawson Sullivan and Carson Callihan, and passes from Sullivan to Tucker Dockery and Elijah Weaver. But finding themselves with a fourth down 10 yards away from the goal line, the Rebels called on Matthew Ponton who split the uprights with a 27-yard field goal to put Fannin up 3-0.
The Warriors started their first possession in Rebel territory at the 49 yard line after the kickoff return. Defensive plays by Braxton Cheatham, Noah Burnette, Braden Taylor and Scott Waldrey forced a turnover on downs.
After a pass to Reid Holloway and a Callihan run, Sullivan connected with Weaver for a 72 yard play that ended in the end zone. Ponton added the extra point, making the score 10-0 halfway through the first quarter.
After a lone first down, the Warriors were forced to punt when a tackle by C.J. Reece behind the line of scrimmage brought up fourth and long.
This time the Warrior defense forced a punt and the visitors took over at their 22 yard line.
The first quarter ended at 10-0 on a Tucker Dockery stop.
Dockery and Taylor made the first stop of the second quarter, then Luke Holsonback sacked the quarterback in the backfield to bring up fourth down. The Warriors punted and Fannin took over at the 38 yard line.
After a march downfield, the Rebels faked a field goal on fourth down, but came up short with an incomplete pass. The Warriors took over with their backs against the wall at their own nine yard line.
Taylor, Cheatham and Burnette combined to lead a Rebel defensive effort that stopped Gordon Central without a first down and forced a punt. That kick left Fannin 41 yards away from the goal line.
After a Sullivan to Weaver pass was good for a first down, Sullivan kept the ball for himself and took it to the end zone. A Ponton extra point extended the Fannin lead to 17-0.
Starting at their 34 yard line on the kickoff, Gordon Central moved downfield to score six points. Their two-point conversion attempt failed, but Fannin’s lead was cut to 17-6.
The Rebel offense took over at their own 20 yard line and marched steadily toward another six pointer, this time scored on a run by Callihan. Ponton was again true on the extra point, putting Fannin up 24-6.
The next Warrior possession ended with a 38-yard field goal attempt that was no good.
A Callihan run brought the first score of the third period, putting Fannin up 31-6 with the addition of a Ponton extra point.
The Warriors’ next possession was short lived when pressures by Burnette and Hilliard led to two incomplete passes. Then a penalty caused a loss of a downs for the Warriors, forcing a punt.
A pass interception by Gordon Central stopped Fannin and the Warrior offense took over at their 40 yard line. The break was short lived when Fannin’s defense forced another three-and-out and a punt.
Callihan started the drive with a run for a first down then ran again for another first down and ended it with another touchdown run. A Ponton extra point gave the Rebels what would be their game winning 38-6 advantage.
The Warriors began their possession at their 20, but were quickly stopped when Reece recovered a Gordon Central fumble. The Rebels failed to capitalize when a faulty snap was recovered by the Warriors at their 26 yard line.
The Rebels got the ball back after another defensive stand, but time ran out on the Fannin offense.
The Rebels will host Chattooga Friday, October 4, to continue region play. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m.