The Fannin County Rebels were looking to remain perfect in region play as hit the road Friday, October 11, to face off in a region match against the East Hall Vikings. The Rebels did just that as they topped the Vikings 49-26.
Fannin won the toss and elected to receive the ball. Cohutta Hyde had a big return to start the game, bringing the ball out to the Viking’s 35-yard line.
Junior quarterback Luke Holloway led the offense out on the field. Workhorses Treylyn Owensby and Will Mosely pounded the ball on the ground was able to move the chains all the way to the four yard line. Owensby made one last run and bulldozed his way into the endzone from four yards out to strike first. Senior kicker Sarah Sosebee made the extra point as the Rebels led East Hall 7-0 with 8:03 to go in the first.
The Vikings brought the kickoff out to their own 33-yard line and tried to go through the air. The Vikings made it to their own 45-yard line before the Rebel defense clamped down and held them to fourth and one from their own 45.
East Hall went for it and was unable to complete the pass as the Rebels took over at the Rebels 45-yard line.
Two plays later, Holloway found Hyde for a 55-yard bomb to the endzone to increase the Rebel’s lead. After the Sosebee extra point, Fannin led 14-0 with 5:10 to go in the first quarter.
Jalen Ingram kicked off for the Rebels as the Vikings brought the ball out to their own 43-yard line.
The Vikings were able to move the ball to the 50-yard line before Micah O’neal and the Rebel defense slowed them down. On fourth and 11 from the Rebels 45-yard line, the Rebels forced a fumble and ball hawk Jakob Tuggle fell on it to give the Rebels the ball at their own 47-yard line.
The Rebels tried to eat some clock by moving the ball on the ground, but a Rebel fumble gave the ball back to the Vikings at East Hall’s 15-yard line.
After a three yard pass the Vikings dropped back and completed a 82-yard touchdown grab to slice into Fannin’s lead. The Vikings went for the two point conversion, but was unsuccessful as the Rebels led 14-6 to end the first quarter.
The Rebels started the second quarter at their own 36-yard line as the offense took the field. Owensby had a two yard run, but a Rebels penalty put Fannin at second and 18 from their own 28-yard line. The Rebels could not complete a second down pass as the Rebels were in a third and long situation at their own 28-yard line.
Holloway dropped back on third and 18 and found wideout Andre Bivens who made a big catch at the Viking’s 49-yard line to keep the drive alive.
Mosely and Owensby then ran behind the Rebels offensive line to gain yards for Fannin, but a false start put Fannin in a third and 15 situation from their own 46-yard line. Holloway found Mosley through the air and he was able to take it 50-yards to the Vikings four yard line for a first down. Owensby powered through the Vikings defense on the next play to score from four yards out. After the good extra point by Sosebee, the Rebels led 21-6 with 7:06 to go in the second quarter.
The Rebels tried to the onside kick and was successful as Hyde came away with it to give the Rebels the ball back at the Vikings 44-yard line.
Owensby and Mosely moved the ball on the ground all the way to the two yard line, before Mosely finished off the drive with a two yard touchdown gallop. After the Sosebee’s extra point the Rebels led 28-6 with 2:16 to go in the first half.
East Hall was able to field the Rebel kickoff and later scored a quick touchdown on a three yard touchdown run to cut into the lead.
The Vikings two-point conversion was good as the Rebels led 28-14 at halftime.
The Vikings got the ball at their own 23-yard line to start the third, as they tried to cut into the Rebel lead. East Hall moved the sticks all the way to the Rebels 11-yard line.
The Rebels forced a fumble on the next play and Dalton Ross fell on the ball to get the Rebels defense off the field. The Rebels moved the ball on the ground again as they crossed into the Viking’s red zone. Owensby punched the ball in from seven yards out to add six more points to the Rebels lead. After the Sosebee kick the Rebels led 35-14 with 6:37 to go in the third quarter. The Vikings and Rebels traded possessions the remainder of the third quarter, with neither team scoring. The Rebels had the ball at the start of the fourth quarter at the Vikings 31-yard line. Holloway dropped back and found tight end Jalen Ingram on a 31-yard touchdown strike and after the Sosebee extra point, the Rebels led 42-14 with 10:12 to go in the game.
The Rebels kicked off and the Fannin defense held the Vikings again as they punted back to Fannin. An East Hall penalty and big runs by Mosely and Owensby set the Rebels up at the one yard line. Holloway kept the ball and ran it in from the one yard line for another Fannin County touchdown. After the Sosebee extra point the Rebels led 49-14 with 6:43 to go in the game. East Hall tried to make a comeback, scoring two quick touchdowns, but they were unsuccessful as the Rebels held on for a 49-26 region win. Holloway finished the game going five of eight for 170 yards and two touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Owensby and Mosely had a big day on the ground, with Owensby collecting 191 yards and three touchdowns. Mosely had 92 rushing yards, a 50-yard reception and a touchdown.
The Rebel defense held the Vikings to 249 total yards and had two fumble recoveries and a fourth down stop.
Fannin will be at home Friday, October 18, for another region match against the North Hall Trojans. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.