Fannin County Rebel football cruised to an easy 35-6 victory against the Southeast Whitfield Raiders on a patriotic Friday night, September 10.
Fourteen American flags were posted on the home side of Rebel stadium, one for those who lost their life on 9/11, and 13 flags for the fallen marines in Afghanistan.
The Rebels won the coin toss and elected to receive as they started on their own 35-yard line.
Carson Collis got things going with an eight-yard catch from David Mashburn. Mashburn turned on the jets a few plays later for a 10-yard gallop, before Seth Reece manhandled a handful of defenders to the Raider’s 33-line for a first down.
Carter Mann caught an 11-yard pass to the 22 yard line, and Collis caught a pass to the 18-yard line. Hayden Lynch caught a pass to put the Rebels at the 13-yard line, and then Reece capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass. After the extra point from Jack Kantner, Fannin led 7-0 with 9:39 to go in the first quarter.
Kantner kicked off into the endzone to give the Raiders the ball at their own 25-yard line. Reece, Maloof and Cason Owensby had some big stops to force a punt from the Raiders.
The Rebels started their drive at their own 47-yard line, as Corbin Davenport and Austin Garland began to move the chains on the ground.
The Rebels made it to the nine-yard line before Garland snuck his way into the endzone on a nine-yard touchdown scamper. After the good extra by Kantner, the Rebels led the Raiders 14-0 with 6:15 to go in the first.
Dylan Collins and Andrew Waldrep locked in on defense and held the Raiders to fourth and five at the Rebels’ 43-yard line. The Raiders went for it on fourth and the Rebels held to force a turnover on downs and gave the Rebels the ball back at their own 43-yard line. Khole Green, Lynch, and Mashburn ran the ball to the Raiders’ 19-yard line before Reece bursted into the endzone on a 19-yard touchdown run. After the Kantner extra point, the Rebels led 21-0 with 10:59 to go in the second quarter.
Fannin kicked off and forced a quick three-and-out as Davenport returned the punt to the Raiders’ 42-yard line. A few plays later Garland exploded for a 21-yard touchdown run and after the good extra point, Fannin led 27-0 with 8:12 to go in the second quarter.
The Fannin defense held the Raiders once more and got the ball back as Mann quickly scored on a 14-yard touchdown catch. After the good extra point, the Rebels held a commanding 35-0 where the score remained until halftime.
The Raiders avoided a shutout in the third quarter as they took a 49-yard run to the endzone. After the missed extra point, the Rebels led 35-6 with 8:45 to go in the third.
Both the Rebels and Raiders got some young guys some experience, with both sides showing promise, but neither team scored again in the contest as the Rebels came away with a 35-6 victory over the Raiders. Garland finished with a solid day on the ground rushing five times for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Fannin’s defense forced two fumbles and recovered both of them, and did not give up any passing yards.
The Rebels are now 2-1 on the season and are set to travel to Banks County Friday, September 17, to take on the Leopards. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.