Sports

Fannin County’s defense swarms a Gilmer ball carrier Friday. The Rebels’ Reid Holloway (6) is on the bottom of the pile as, from left, Judah Wood (8), Conrad Head (22), Bryson Cole (11), Cayden Reece (62) and Isaac Watkins (50) converge.

Fannin County’s defense swarms a Gilmer ball carrier Friday. The Rebels’ Reid Holloway (6) is on the bottom of the pile as, from left, Judah Wood (8), Conrad Head (22), Bryson Cole (11), Cayden Reece (62) and Isaac Watkins (50) converge.

Gilmer ruins Fannin season opener

Jenna Young
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
The Fannin County High School Rebels football team fell short in the rivalry match up against the Gilmer County Bobcats, 42-24, Friday, August 15.
Fannin’s Isaac Watkins goes for a tackle in the Rebels win over White County. Photo courtesy of Mark Turner, White Co. News

Fannin’s Isaac Watkins goes for a tackle in the Rebels win over White County. Photo courtesy of Mark Turner, White Co. News

Fannin scores 41-14 win

Jenna Young
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
The Fannin County Rebels football team took a win in their final preseason scrimmage, 41-14, over the White County Warriors, Friday, August 8. The Rebels were calm and collected, taking an early lead in just six plays with a Cannon Holloway pass to Judah Wood.
Drew Crowder (6) completed this short pass to Easton Dockery for a gain of several yards when Copper Basin scrimmaged Tellico Plains Friday night.

Drew Crowder (6) completed this short pass to Easton Dockery for a gain of several yards when Copper Basin scrimmaged Tellico Plains Friday night.

Cougars get ready for Andrews with Tellico scrimmage

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The Copper Basin Cougars football team accomplished the two goals Head Coach Brett Graves set when the Cougars hosted the Tellico Plains Bears in a preseason scrimmage Friday night at Copper Basin.
Lindsey Holloway, Cooper Born, Madison Pelfrey and Jacob “Dozer” Dye, from left, were presented scholarships by the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame.

Lindsey Holloway, Cooper Born, Madison Pelfrey and Jacob “Dozer” Dye, from left, were presented scholarships by the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame.

Student athletes honored by Hall of Fame

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame (FCSHOF) banquet celebrated the achievements of student athletes in addition to its annual induction of new members July 26. Attending the ceremony at Fannin County High School (FCHS) felt “ecstatic,” said Yvonne Sams, the grandmother of participant Karli Sams.
The Fannin County High School Marching Band has been hard at work in preparing The Music of Riverdance. Shown preparing during band camp last week are Laurel, Ella, August and Chance.

The Fannin County High School Marching Band has been hard at work in preparing The Music of Riverdance. Shown preparing during band camp last week are Laurel, Ella, August and Chance.

MARCHING REBELS GETTING READY

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Summer band camp taught students the fundamentals of marching. Before the fancy formations, the instruments and all the rest, marching band participants have to learn how to keep their step consistent.
Danny Drake stands before the American flag that once flew over the USS Macdonough.

Danny Drake stands before the American flag that once flew over the USS Macdonough.

Hometown Heros

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Machinist’s Mate Danny Drake was off the coast of Spain. Above him, a thin layer of aluminum. Beside him, a few hundred fellow sailors. On the horizon, a Russian warship with weapons that could rip his vessel apart. And somewhere far beneath the hull was a lost atomic weapon.
Top Offensive Player Ashley Herendon Weeks goes up for a basket during the Lady Rebels’ 1995-96 season.

Top Offensive Player Ashley Herendon Weeks goes up for a basket during the Lady Rebels’ 1995-96 season.

Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame

News Staff
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Johnny Farmer was the head coach of the Fannin County Lady Rebels basketball teams for 25 years. During that time, his teams won 509 games and lost 167 times for a winning percentage of 75.3%. His teams won two state championships and appeared in the Final Four six times.
Coach Jack Roper sends new players through a drill to help them learn proper tactics to avoid blockers.

Coach Jack Roper sends new players through a drill to help them learn proper tactics to avoid blockers.

Youth football camp gets players ready for season

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Young football players began getting ready for the 2026 season last week during a football camp at Fannin County High School (FCHS). Players from grades one through six went through a variety of drills including running, tackling and passing.
Carl Beavers, shown with his brother Randall, joins Randall as a member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame this year. Another Beavers brother, Ron, was inducted into the Hall in 2019 with Randall.

Carl Beavers, shown with his brother Randall, joins Randall as a member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame this year. Another Beavers brother, Ron, was inducted into the Hall in 2019 with Randall.

Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame class named

News Staff
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
By Mike Harper Fans of East Fannin High School (EFHS) athletics owed a huge “thank you” to Clifford and Ethel Beavers of Morganton. The couple produced eight children, including seven boys. Every one of the boys played football at EFHS.
oung Alexis Collis O’Neal is shown with father Alan Collis and mother Heather Collis when Alan played for Carson-Newman University.

oung Alexis Collis O’Neal is shown with father Alan Collis and mother Heather Collis when Alan played for Carson-Newman University.

FANNIN COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
By Mike Harper The Fannin County High School (FCHS) Lady Rebels softball teams did not enjoy much success during the first five years of competition in the fast-pitch version of the sport.