The Fannin County Rebels wrapped up their season with a 20-13 loss to the Callaway Cavaliers Friday, November 18, in the Sweet Sixteen state playoffs.
A scoreless first quarter saw the two teams battle to a 0-0 tie.
Bryson Holloway started the game by returning the kickoff to the 40 yard line. The Rebels were forced to punt after a single first down, and the Cavaliers took over at their own 35 yard line.
They fumbled and recovered five yards behind the original line of scrimmage. Nate Maloof Corbin Davenport and Bryson Holloway all came up with defensive stops to stop Callaway without a first down.
It was the Cavs turn to play tough defense and the Rebels were forced to a three and out.
Kantner punted to the 35 yard line, and Clay Heaton wrapped up the ball carrier immediately. Holloway, Andrew Waldrep, Lawson Sullivan, and Logan Long all made big defensive plays for the Rebels, but a quick ten yard pass led the Cavs to the first score of the game to start the second quarter. The extra point was good for a 7-0 Callway lead.
Walker Ballew recovered the Cavaliers’ onside kick attempt at the 46 yard line for Fannin County to get the Rebels’ first scoring drive started.
Holloway, Carson Callihan, Davenport all picked up yardage on the ground before a Davenport to Holloway pass put the Rebels at first and goal. Davenport finished the drive with a touchdown run.
Jack Kantner’s extra point was good, tying the score at 7-7 with just under four minutes left in half.
The Cavaliers came back to put up another six points after the kickoff. Maloof blocked the extra point attempt, and Fannin trailed 13-7.
The Rebels turned the ball over on downs on their next possession.
Davenport made a big hit on the Callaway ball carrier, knocked the ball loose and recovered the ball himself to end the first half.
Ponton kicked off for the Rebels to start the second half, and the defense stiffened, forcing a Cavlier punt.
After receiving the punt, Davenport left the Rebels with first and goal after three carries. Waldrep and Holloway created the space for Davenport to get a yard away from the goal line, who scored on the next play to tie the game at 13-13.
The extra point attempt failed.
Taylor and Maloof led the Rebel defense as the Cavaliers went three and out.
This time the Cavalier’s defense took over and the Rebels were forced to punt after three plays.
Heaton made the stop at the 39, but the Cavs marched down the field to score and take a 20-13 lead.
Davenport returned the kickoff to the 47 yard line, then he kept for nine. Holloway was able to use his offensive line as a wall to gain the Rebel first down. But the Rebels couldn’t find another after four downs so Kantner punted. The ball was downed by Taylor at the 5 yard line.
Waldrep, Holloway, Davenport, Maloof, Case Holloway, and Taylor all made defensive stops before a long pass got the Cavs a first down in Rebel territory.
The Fannin defense bent but didn’t break, giving the ball back to the offense at the 20 yard liine as the clock ticked down to the two minute mark.
After managing three first down, the Rebels ran out of time and the clock hit zero with Callaway ahead 20-13.