The Fannin County High School football team traveled to Calhoun for their first region game against the Gordon Central Warriors and came home with a 47-6 victory.
The game started with senior Corbin Davenport returning the ball to the 16 yard line. Quarterback Elijah Weaver hit Carson Collis for a five yard gain then connected with Davenport for a touchdown just 55 seconds into the game. Jack Kantner’s extra point had the Rebels rolling 7-0.
Kantner kicked nearly to the goal line and Clay Heaton met the ball returner at the Gordon Central 19 yard line. A host of Rebels made the stop for second down only allowing a two yard gain. Heaton made the next stop after a quick pass to the outside, bringing up third down and three. Cade Sands met the ball carrier in the backfield for a big tackle for loss. The Warrior punt left the Rebels at their 28 yard line.
Weaver threaded the needle with a pass to Collis for another Rebel touchdown. Kantner’s extra point was good, putting the score at 14-0 with 8:30 left in the first quarter.
The Warriors’ offense took over at their 20 yard line. They ran it for a first down before the Rebel defense made the stop. The Warriors were forced to punt after stops by Heaton and Sands. Davenport returned the kick to the 44 yard line.
Weaver hit Bryson Holloway for a gain of eight yards. Carson Callihan ran for a first down and then some. Khole Green carried the ball on the next play to gain a yard. Weaver hit Davenport for another Rebel touchdown, and adding Kantner’s extra point put the Rebels up 21-0 with just over four minutes left in the first.
Kantner’s onside kick was recovered by the Rebels. Sands picked up a first down at the 21 yard line. Green followed with a four yard carry. Another carry, with the addition of a penalty on the Warriors, left the Rebels with first and goal. A holding call on Fannin brought them back to the 18 yard line. On the next play, Weaver’s pitch to Sands lost a few yards. Another incomplete pass brought up fourth down and the Rebels sent out the kicking team. Kantner put the ball right through the center of the uprights and added three more points to Fannin’s total.
Kantner’s kickoff fell into the hands of a Warrior at the ten yard line. Bryan Stiles and Heaton made the stop at the Gordon Central 36 yard line. Sands made yet another tackle for loss that put Gordon Central back two yards, and Braden Taylor stopped the ball carrier at the 44 yard line to end the first quarter.
Heaton met the ball carrier on the first play of the second quarter. A holding and a personal foul call brought up third and long for the Warriors. Another penalty put them at fourth and further. Their punt rolled out of bounds at the 42 yard line and the Rebels took over.
Weaver connected with Davenport, and he ran it all the way in for a Rebel touchdown. Kantner’s extra point was good and the score was 31-0 just two minutes into the second quarter. Kantner’s kick sailed through the end zone and the Warriors took over at the 20 yard line.
Cooper Born made a tackle for loss to lead the Rebel defense as the Warriors went three and out. The fourth down punt went to Fannin’s 32 yard line where Holloway moved it forward six yards. Sands carried the ball for five yards before Weaver hit Collis for another touchdown. Kantner added the extra point to put Fannin up 38-0 with seven and a half minutes left in the half.
Kantner booted another ball through the end zone to put the Warriors at the 20 yard line. Case Holloway made a big stop for the Rebels before B. Holloway made the next tackle to hand the hosts a three yard loss. Heaton then snagged an interception at the 30 yard line. Green ran the ball to the 18 yard line for a first down and then carried it to the two yard line for another first down. A false start call put the Rebels at the seven yard line. Fourth and goal put Kantner and the kicking team on the field, and they kicked a field goal for three more points and a 41-0 advantage.
Kantner’s kick fell just short of the end zone, and Stiles made the initial hit at the 25 yard line. Baylor Twiggs and Heaton made stops, but not before the Warriors earned a first down.
Freshman Matthew Ponton kicked off to start the half.The ball ws fumbled by Gordon Central and recovered by freshman Scott Waldrep to put their offense back on the field. Judah Wood ran the ball for a yard gain before an incomplete pass brought up third down.
The Warriors took back over but fumbled. The loose ball was recovered by Cooper Hilliard who carried the ball the next play. Wood had back to back carries before penalties stalled the Rebels. Wood then hit Tucker Dockery who ran it all the way to the one yard line. Wood kept it for a Fannin County touchdown. Adia Galloway’s extra point attempt was no good, and the score was 47 to zero.
Galloway’s kick went 30 yards and was returned to the Gordon Central 45s.
CJ Reece and Braxton Cheatham found the quarterback in the backfield for a big tackle for loss. A holding call against the Warriors left them at third down and 27 yards. The Warriors’ ball carrier found a gap and ran the ball through for their first touchdown with five minutes left in the game. A false start call pushed them back and their extra point attempt was no good making the score 47-6.
Karson Brown recovered the kickoff at the 33 yard line. Wood ran it the next play for a gain of two yards, but the Rebels didn’t have enough time to find the end zone before the game ended with the score of 47 to six.
The Rebels will have a bye week Friday, September 30 and will continue region play Friday, October 7 at Model High School.