The Fannin County Rebels football team traveled to Murray County Friday, October 21, and came home with a 42-7 region win over the Murray County Indians.
The Rebels started off hot as Bryson Holloway carried the ball to the 35, then ran again to the 47 yard line. Quarterback Elijah Weaver looked to Corbin Davenport, but the pass fell incomplete. Holloway then ran it just two yards short. Davenport churned up some yardage to get within striking distance of the goal line. A penalty on the Rebels took them back five yards. Holloway carried twice to put the Rebels first six points on the scoreboard. Matthew Ponton’s first kick of the night was good putting the Rebels ahead 7-0 just three minutes into the game.
Cooper Hilliard and Clay Heaton made the kickoff stop at the 30 yard line. Logan Long stopped the first Indian run and Holloway snuffed the next. Brody Paskill wrapped up the next ball carrier to bring up fourth and two. Andrew Waldrep rushed the quarterback and Long was able to get a hand up to block the pass, giving the ball over to Fannin on downs.
Weaver connected to Davenport, and then Carson Collis snagged Weaver’s next pass for a first down at the Murray County 11 yard line. Holloway was able to gain one with a run. Weaver kept the ball for the next play with no gain. Weaver hit Holloway with a short pass, and Joseph Annis made a block to give him enough room to get around the edge for another Fannin touchdown. Ponton’s extra point was good, and the score was 14-0 halfway through the first.
Ponton’s kickoff sailed out of bounds at the 35 yard line.
After a short march by the Indians, a fumble was recovered by Jeremy Tammen at the 49 yard line, and the Fannin offense returned to the field.
Five plays later, Weaver looked into the corner of the end zone from the 23 year line and found Davenport for another touchdown. Ponton’s kick was good to put Fannin up 21-0 at the three minute mark.
Cooper Born made the special teams stop after Ponton’s kick sailed to the 20 yard line. Long found the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage before a fumbled snap and then a stop by Case Holloway created lost yardage for the Indians.
Nate Maloof and Davenport stopped the next carrier and Maloof wrapped up the carrier for fourth down. The Indians punted, giving the Rebels good field position at their own 40 yard line.
On the first play, Weaver hit Davenport on a pass covering 60 yards that put the Rebels up 27-0. Ponton’s kick made the score 28-0.
Taylor tripped up the kick returner at the 29 yard line. Holloway stopped the Indians with an interception at the 34 yard line. This time the Indians’ defense stiffened to bring up fourth and seven. The Rebels faked a punt and Davenport churned up enough yardage for a first down.
The Rebels churned up turf on their way down the field before Weaver saw an open Collis and completed a touchdown pass. Ponton kicked another extra point and the Rebels led 35-0.
Burnette and Twiggs made the stop on the kickoff. Paskill sacked the quarterback on the next play, then Born made a quick read and snagged an interception. He ran it into the end zone, but a block in the back penalty wiped out the score. Holloway scored on his second carry and Ponton added the extra point to put the Rebels up 42-0.
A Burnette stop and a Paskill sack brought up second and 19 for Murray after the kickoff. Case Holloway made the stop for third and nine. The next pass was intercepted by Taylor and a penalty put the Rebels up 15 more yards as the first half ended.
CJ Reece made tackle for a loss of a yard to start the second half for the Rebels. Hilliard, Baylor Twiggs and Braxton Cheatham all made good defensive plays as Murray marched downfield before a fumble inside the one yard line was recovered by Hunter Dickey.
Khole Green picked up three yards, and earned a first down on a second carry. The Indians were able to read the next play and found Green in the backfield for second and 13.
The Indians scopped up a fumble and ran it in for their first touchdown. They were able to make the extra point to close the margin to 42-7.
Fannin’s offense took over at the 32 yard line after the kick. Ponton went in for the Rebels at quarterback. His first pass connected to Reece for a four yard gain to end the third quarter.
Green ran hard around the outside for a Rebel first down. Then, Judah Wood, with a helpful block made by Bohn Postell, ran for a five yard gain. The drive stalled and the Rebels turned the ball over on downs.
Burnette, Twiggs and Hilliard all came up with big stops against the Indians to give the Rebels the ball at the 44 yard line.
Green gained a yard before Ponton connected with Tucker Dockery for a gain of seven yards. Wood carried the ball for a first down. Again, he ran it with no gain as the game ended. The Rebels finished the contest 42-7 with another region win.
The Rebels will host Rockmart at FCHS Friday, October 28 for the annual Pink Out game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.