Sports

The Fannin County Rebels display the Runner Ups trophy they came home with from the Region Tournament Saturday night at Armuchee High School in Rome - Photo courtesy of All Star Photos

The Fannin County Rebels display the Runner Ups trophy they came home with from the Region Tournament Saturday night at Armuchee High School in Rome - Photo courtesy of All Star Photos

Title game leaves Rebels runner ups

News Staff
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Tyler Blake netted the first two points for Fannin County, but that would be the Rebels’ lone lead in the Region Tournament championship game against the Christian Heritage Lions Saturday, February 21.
Fannin high school Lady Rebel freshman Jacquelyn Cline (#22) tries to get the ball before it goes out of bounds in the girls game against Rabun County February 17.

Fannin high school Lady Rebel freshman Jacquelyn Cline (#22) tries to get the ball before it goes out of bounds in the girls game against Rabun County February 17.

Fannin posts big win over Towns Co.

Jason Queen
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The Fannin County High School girls soccer team won it’s second game of the season against Towns County by a huge margin 10-0 February 9 at home.  Fannin scored five goals in the first half and five in the second. The game time was shortened due to the mercy rule.
Albany Cole, shown in action earlier this year, scored 13 points in the win over Christian Heritage.

Albany Cole, shown in action earlier this year, scored 13 points in the win over Christian Heritage.

Lady Rebels capture title

Jenna Young
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Reese Lewis scored 19 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to carry the Fannin County Lady Rebels basketball team past Christian Heritage, 64-57, Friday, February 13, and earn the title of regular season Region Champions. The close game featured 11 lead changes.
Lady Cougar Alexis Hyatt (#21) easily scored during the February 6 victory at Copper Basin High School.

Lady Cougar Alexis Hyatt (#21) easily scored during the February 6 victory at Copper Basin High School.

Lady Cougars post trio of victories

Jason Queen
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The Copper Basin Lady Cougars faced a challenge at home in its game with Sequoyah High School February 9 in the first of three games last week.  The first three quarters had multiple lead changes and a lot of free throws, but in the end, the Lady Cougars came out on top 85-75.
Fannin County Middle School wrestlers were honored for their tournament accomplishments by the Fannin County Board of Education. Shown during the ceremony at the February 12 school board meeting are, from left, front, Coach Josh Snider, Grayson Woody, Clay Maddox, Luke Snider, FCMS Principal Dr. Arpil Hodges and FCMS Assistant Principal Chuck Patterson; and back, board members Bobby Bearden, Ashley H. Weeks, Adam Born, Mike Cole, Robert Patterson, and School Superintendent Shannon Dillard.

Fannin County Middle School wrestlers were honored for their tournament accomplishments by the Fannin County Board of Education. Shown during the ceremony at the February 12 school board meeting are, from left, front, Coach Josh Snider, Grayson Woody, Clay Maddox, Luke Snider, FCMS Principal Dr. Arpil Hodges and FCMS Assistant Principal Chuck Patterson; and back, board members Bobby Bearden, Ashley H. Weeks, Adam Born, Mike Cole, Robert Patterson, and School Superintendent Shannon Dillard.

FCMS wrestlers honored

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Three Fannin County Middle School (FCMS) wrestlers were honored last week as First Place Champions in the Mountain League, an accomplishment compared to as difficult as anything they will face in state tournament action at the high school level.
Several members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Fannin County High School returned from region competition having earned the right to move on to the state level. Shown at the region event are, from left, Kadence Mashburn, Jadyn Humanes, Jacquelyn Cline, Lana Cook, Kinsley Parks, Lyla Webb, Adeline Beavers, and Eva McNelley.

Several members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Fannin County High School returned from region competition having earned the right to move on to the state level. Shown at the region event are, from left, Kadence Mashburn, Jadyn Humanes, Jacquelyn Cline, Lana Cook, Kinsley Parks, Lyla Webb, Adeline Beavers, and Eva McNelley.

FFCLA members earn spots in state event

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Fannin County High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter returned from region competition Saturday, February 7, with a trio of awards. Competitors brought home two first place and one second place honors.
Kolton Kaylor has been the high scorer in the team’s recent wins over Coosa and Gordon Lee. News Observer Photo by Glenn Harbison

Kolton Kaylor has been the high scorer in the team’s recent wins over Coosa and Gordon Lee. News Observer Photo by Glenn Harbison

Rebels post two wins

Jenna Young
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Two News Observer Sports Articles by Jenna Young:    Kaylor scores 21 in Gordon Lee win The Fannin County Rebels basketball team defeated Gordon Lee, 72-45, Saturday, February 7, as Kolton Kaylor scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Retiring Fannin County Rebels Head Football Coach Chad Cheatham was introduced Friday night as a member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Joining Cheatham for the announcement were, from left, wife, Katherine Cheatham; daughter, Annaleigh Cheatham; son, Braxton Cheatham; Coach Cheatham; mom, Barbara Cheatham; and dad, Steve Cheatham.

Retiring Fannin County Rebels Head Football Coach Chad Cheatham was introduced Friday night as a member of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Joining Cheatham for the announcement were, from left, wife, Katherine Cheatham; daughter, Annaleigh Cheatham; son, Braxton Cheatham; Coach Cheatham; mom, Barbara Cheatham; and dad, Steve Cheatham.

Hall of Fame names Class of 2026

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Five individuals and a basketball team were announced as the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame inductees for the Class of 2026 Friday night, February 4.
RIGHT: Izzie Jabaley, shown in action earlier this season, iced the win over region rival Christian Heritage with four straight free throws Friday night. News Observer Photo/ Glenn Harbison

RIGHT: Izzie Jabaley, shown in action earlier this season, iced the win over region rival Christian Heritage with four straight free throws Friday night. News Observer Photo/ Glenn Harbison

Lady Rebels post region win

News Staff
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Izzie Jabaley, Albany Cole and Reese Lewis led the Fannin County Lady Rebels fourth quarter comeback Friday night to defeat the Christian Heritage Lady Lions. It was Jabaley who would ice the victory with four clutch free throws with the game clock slowly ticking off the game’s final minute.
David Nichols, the new head football coach of the Fannin County Rebels, talked about expectations when he met with community members last Thursday night.

David Nichols, the new head football coach of the Fannin County Rebels, talked about expectations when he met with community members last Thursday night.

Nichols talks tradition, honor with community

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
David Nichols concentrated on more than football when he was introduced to the community Thursday, January 29, at Fannin County High School.