The Fannin County Rebels played a hard fought Elite Eight soccer game against Dalton Academy May 6, capturing a win to advance to the Final Four of the State Championships.
Many team members bleached their hair for the championship.
With their trademark blend of teamwork and skill, the Rebels scored a second-half goal to win the game 1-0.
The Rebels will now go to the Final Four.
Rebels coach Lee Johnson described Dalton as a “very strong” opponent.
The Rebels overcame by fighting well over the entire field with “many standout efforts,” he said.
In the goal, Conner Kyle successfully defended against Dalton’s attacks.
On defense, Gage Bryan, team captain Nick Honeycutt and Josh Martinez made a “wall,” Johnson said.
Midfield players Miller Denton, Brodey Angel and Conrad Head beat their opponents by superior skill, Johnson said.
“Dalton continually fouled Denton whose skills were far beyond what Dalton could handle.”
On offense, wingers Finn Thoresen, Brevan Hennessey and Kian Halpin kept their play fluid.
Hennessey made Dalton “do circles as he moved the ball,” Johnson said.
Attackers Oscar Alvaraz-Garcia, Mario Ruiz-Garcia and Matthew Ponton “kept Dalton guessing with their strong press,” he said.
All these efforts combined to win the game in the middle of the second half.
With an assist from Bryan, Ponton swerved through the Dalton backline and scored a “wonder goal,” Johnson said.
“This was easily the biggest goal of Ponton’s already illustrious career as the Rebel Talisman proved his quality was far beyond what the opposition could handle,” he said.
The Rebels will play Thomasville Friday in a Final Four matchup.