The Fannin County High School Rebels take on the Cherokee Bluff Bears for their first regional home game. Rebels brought high energy into the first half and executed their plays during the 4th quarter, beating the Bears 45-7.

After the coin toss, the Rebels’ #32 Treylyn Owensby with the kickoff return to their own 34-yard line. From there, the Rebels set the tone of the game as they scored three touchdowns. Luke Holloway handed off to Owensby for a 30-yard touchdown, Holloway connected with Chandler Kendall for a 37-yard touchdown, and Holloway passed to Jalen Ingram for a 32-yard touchdown. Sarah Sosebee with the extra 3 points gave the Rebels the lead of 21-0.

Rebels defense dominated the first quarter as they kept the Bears off the scoreboard. Every time it looked as though the Bears would gain a few yards, they would get flagged for ‘false start’ and ‘off sides’ which pushed them back. It was apparent that the Rebels had established an early lead that would put too much pressure on the Bears to come back later in the game.

Second quarter began much like the first, with the Rebels adding to their lead. Rebels moved the pigskin downfield with Kendall 24-yards, Holloway 6-yards, and Owensby 26-yards and the touchdown. Sosebee with the extra point brings up the score 28-0 with 8:05 left in the 1st half.

With less than five minutes left in the 1st half, the Bears execute a trick play (triple reverse) and find themselves at the Rebels 6-yard line. From there, the Bears took on Rebels defense before lighting up the scoreboard the only time that night, 28-7.

After their touchdown, the Bears seemed to have caught a second-wind, or maybe the Rebels backed off a little, allowing the Bears to get into the red zone on Rebels 19-yard line. The momentum of the game may have been turning the Bears way, but that same moment was short lived when the Bears had a turnover.

The Rebels take over at their own 19-yard line with 38 seconds left in the 1st half. The Bears intercepted Holloways attempt to connect with Ingram before the buzzer sound ended the 1st half with the Rebels on top, 28-7.

It was obvious after the Rebels first half, Head Coach Chad Cheatham needed to go into the locker room and maybe remind the Rebels that they had not yet won the game and they needed to finish the game.

In the 3rd quarter, the Bears received the kickoff but weren’t successful in moving downfield. The Bears made it to their own 35-yard line before being pushed back 5-yards for a flag on the play. This caused the Bears to have to punt.

With Kendall’s 20-yard punt return, the Rebels start on their own 44-yard line. The Rebels were unable to get anything going in that drive and were forced to punt that would give the Bears the ball on their own 34-yard line.

In the 3rd quarter, the Rebels defense stopped any hope the Bears had of getting into the end zone. The Bears were forced to punt and 44-yard punt, the Rebels were put on their own 1-yard line. Basically, having to run 1st down out of their own end zone, Holloway handed off to Owensby and gained 26-yards giving the Rebels some breathing room as the sound of the buzzer ended the quarter.

Rebels start the 4th quarter on their own 27-yard line and only 12 minutes away from winning the first region game of the season. The Rebels left it all on the field as they made quick work of crossing the 50-yard line into Bears territory. Holloway handed off to 35 Will Mosley for a 52-yard touchdown. Sosebee was on fire as she went 5 for 5 lighting up the scoreboard 35-7.

The Rebels defense did not allow the Bears to get any positive yards. Mason Rhodes and Jackson Weeks kept the Bears at the 31-yard line for the 2nd and 3rd down. Rhodes tackled a Bear at their own 21-yard line for a loss of yards bringing up a 4th down. Bears backed the punt, 31 Campbell Constentino blocked the punt and 50 Matthew Lewis made the recovery at the Bears 11-yard line.

A Rebels drive to their own 9-yard line, and on the 4th down and elected to go for a 21-yard field goal attempt. 38 Alex White with a 21-yard field goal giving the Rebels 38-7 with 7:39 left in the game.

The Bears received the kickoff and attempted to make their way into Rebel territory but at this point there was no moving the ball past Rebels defense. With 3:51 left in the game, the Bears found themselves 4th and 8 at their own 43-yard line. 83 Dalton Ross tackled a Bear for a loss at their own 36-yard line for the turnover on downs.

With a little less than 3:30 left in the game, Rebels took over at their own 36-yard line. Owensby gained 25-yards, Matthew Postell gained another 7-yards, and Norton rushed the last 7-yards for the touchdown. Sosebee went for a successful 6 for 6 and the Rebels broke the scoreboard 45-7.

The Bears received the kickoff with 2:57 left in the game. The Rebels kept them in their own territory for the last two minutes and the buzzard sounded ending the game leaving the Bears at the 40-yard line.

The Rebels played a great game as many players put their hands on the ball and defense made some great plays—like Constentino’s block on the punt and Lewis’s recovery. The Rebels win their first regional game against the Bears.

Let’s see who comes out on top during tonight’s game. The Rebels will be playing East Hall High School at home at 7:30! It’s alumni night, along with Fannin Park and Rec, so come out and support all the Rebels dating back to the 80s!