The Fannin County High School Lady Rebels soccer team is Region 7A D-1 Champions for 2026.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” Head Coach Nancy Jessen said. “I’m so happy for them.”
The championship is the result of a huge 3-1 win over Armuchee March 31.
The game was a solid team effort.
Offensively, the Lady Rebels scored all three of their goals in the first half. Meanwhile, Bridgett Allen and the Lady Rebel defense held Armuchee to one goal in the second half.
Albany Cole scored a goal to start the Lady Rebels effort at 38:11 in the first half. It was a solo effort.
Cole assisted Annaleigh Cheatham with a score 13 minutes later at 25:07 left in the first half.
Kensley Pickelsimer continued her scoring ways with Fannin’s final goal at 11:24 remaining in the first half.
Bridgett Allen was superb at goalkeeper. She had eight saves in the game.
Marinn Denton had three steals in the game. Lily Williams, Izzy Torres and Jacquelyn Cline had two each. Reese Lewis, Gigi Torres and Cole had one each.
The championship is a result of the team’s ability to work together. That effort has led to a team record of 10-3 overall and 6-0 in region 7A D-1.
“They’ve been building every game this last half of the season,” Jessen said. “They’ve put in the work, they’ve made the effort, and the focus has been to be better. And so every practice, they come out and they’re working hard. The seniors’ goal was to win a region and go as far as they can in the playoff berth. So I’ve seen them put the work to make that happen.”
This season, Fannin has so many players that are contributing and are selfless, Jessen said. “They’ll give the assistance because the other person has the better shot,” Jessen said.
Jessen said practicing not only to go to the ball, but also what comes next after you get to the ball has been crucial to their success. “I feel like they really put a lot of effort and thought into what happens after I release the ball or where’s my teammate moving and where can I be available to them if they get, you know, need some help.”