Rebels: Fannin 5-0 after 44-0 win at Dade County
The Fannin County High School Rebels football team continued their undefeated season Friday, September 20, with a 44-0 win over Dade County. This win made Head Coach Chad Cheatham the winningest coach in Fannin County history.
Five plays into their first possession, Fannin County put the first of its points on the board and never looked back.
The Rebel offense started the game at their 23 yard line. Lawson Sullivan carried for five yards, then connected with Braden Taylor on a pass completion that moved the ball to Dade’s 36 yard line. Carson Callihan ran for a yard then again for 13 and a first down. A Sullivan keep finished the drive with the touchdown. With a Matthew Ponton extra point, the Rebels took a 7-0 lead just under two minutes into the game.
On their first possession and facing fourth down, Dade tried a long pass that was intercepted by Tucker Dockery at the Rebels’ eight yard line.
Callihan started the drive with a 22 yard gain to give the Rebels breathing room. But after a march all the way to the Wolverines’ 16, the Rebels ended the drive being forced to punt and Dade County took over at their 20 yard line.
Big stops by Noah Burnette and Scott Waldrep were followed by an incomplete pass, forcing a three and out for Dade County.
The first quarter ended at 7-0 with the Rebels in the middle of a three and out situation.
Fannin punted and the Wolverines took over at their own 30 yard line.
After exchanging multiple punts, Dave was marching toward the Fannin end zone. But Braxton Cheatham made the read and intercepted the ball in the end zone to prevent a touchdown and giving the Rebels the ball at the 20 yard line.
A pass to Weaver gained five yards then a pass to Callihan after a faulty snap led to a touchdown. Ponton’s extra point gave the Rebels a 14-0 lead going into halftime.
After the Wolverines received the kick to start the second half, Cheatham again made the right read and pulled in another interception at the Wolverine 49 yard line.
But the Rebels were again forced to punt.
Fannin’s defense soon gave the offense the ball back by forcing another Dade punt, that sailed to the Rebel 20 yard line.
After a pair of gains by Sullivan, Callihan picked up four yards then broke away on the next snap for a 46 yard run for the touchdown. Ponton’s PAT made the score 21-0 halfway through the third quarter.
The Wolverine offense took over at their 20 yard line. CJ Reece made the first stop then a shoestring tackle by Cheatham saved the score after a Dade first down. Dade eventually turned the ball over on downs.
Sullivan connected with Reid Holloway for the first down then some putting the Rebels at the Wolverines 29 yard line. Sullivan kept it for a two yard gain then finished the drive with the score. A Ponton extra point was no good making the score 28-0 late in the third quarter.
Conrad Head stopped the next Dade drive when he intercepted a pass. After penalties, the Rebels took over at their own 43 yard line. This set up another touchdown by Callihan and a Ponton extra point to make the score 34-0.
Tucker Dockery picked off a Wolverine pass, setting up a Rebel drive that ended with a 28-yard Ponton field goal to make the score 37-0.
Dade’s offense took over at the 30 yard line, and on the second play Vince Foster made the next stop that forced a fumble that was recovered by the Rebels.
Nate O’Neal checked in at quarterback, and Bryson Cole would score the Rebel touchdown to make the score 43-0. Ponton’s extra point was good making the score 44-0.
Three Dade County offensive plays ended the contest.