Rebels: Fannin fights back from 14-0 to claim win
The Rebels punched their ticket to the Elite Eight with a comeback 28-21 victory over Jeff Davis Friday, November 22, in the Sweet 16 state playoff match up.
The game started with a fumbled Fannin County kickoff return that was scooped up by a Yellow Jacket. Within seconds Jeff Davis put the ball into the end zone, added the extra point and led 7-0.
Braden Taylor returned the following kickoff to the 22 yard line. Jeff Davis held Fannin to a three-and-out forcing a punt. The Yellow Jackets took over at their own 49 yard line.
Jeff Davis pounded its way toward the goal line with a drive that chewed up much of the first quarter clock and ended with a 14-0 Yellow Jacket lead.
After the kickoff, Lawson Sullivan answered with an eleven yard run followed by another first down with a 16 yard pass to Elijah Weaver. Sullivan took it himself for another first down into Jeff Davis territory, then Carson Callihan recorded the big play of the drive that covered 36 yards and ended five yards short of the goal line. Sullivan scored two plays later, and Matthew Ponton added the extra point. The Rebels pulled to within 14-7 with just over a minute left in the quarter.
Again, the visitors would take the kickoff and drive down field for seven more points on a pass to the back of the end zone and extra point. The score stood at 21-7 halfway through the second quarter.
The Rebels were again bitten by a fumble, this time losing the ball to Jeff Davis 20 yards short of the goal line.
This time the Rebel defense would throw a wall in front of Jeff Davis as sacks by Cooper Hilliard, Scott Waldrep and Noah Burnette created fourth and long and forced a punt.
The Fannin offense found itself in Yellow Jacket territory. First a pass from Sullivan to Callihan and then a throw from Sullivan to Taylor resulted in six quick Rebel points. Ponton’s kick closed the gap to 21-14, the Rebels taking over the game’s momentum as the clock neared halftime.
Case Holloway, Cooper Born, and Burnette worked for stops to end the first half.
Ponton’s opening half kickoff was downed at the one yard line. After one first down, the Yellow Jackets were again forced to punt on fourth down.
The Rebels took over, and Sullivan took the ball 64 yards to the end zone. Ponton added another to tie the game 21-21 in the third quarter.
The next Yellow Jacket drive chewed up the rest of the third quarter clock, coming to an end when Waldrep recorded a sack for loss to bring up fourth down to end the quarter.
Holsonback blocked the field goal attempt and Cheatham returned it to Fannin County’s 19 yard line.
After moving the ball to the 40 yard in Jeff Davis territory, Sullivan broke free on a six-point run. Ponton put his extra point through the cross bars and Fannin gained their first lead of the game, 28-21.
Ponton continued the momentum for the Rebels with an onside kick and recovery, but Fannin’s offense would be stopped and the ball was turned over on downs.
There was a swap of possessions as both defenses took over the two following offensive series.
Sullivan’s punt was downed at the one yard line.
After a lone first down as the Yellow Jackets tried desperately to hurry to the end zone, Taylor intercepted a pass to secure the Rebel 28-21 victory.
Fannin County’s record now stands at 12-0 on the season.
The Rebels will host Northeast Macon for the Elite Eight game Friday, November 29, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.