Fannin Finds Fountain of Youth Shutout Cougars 18-0
Featured Stories March 12, 2013 , by LT MeltonThe first annual Copper Basin Vs Fannin County “Alumni Football Game” took place with the Fannin Rebels shutting out the Basin Cougars 18-0. The game, put on by alumnifootballusa.com, is the first in what will be an annual series. The game not only featured graduated players from both schools but also legends as former NFL player, and Fannin County High School alumnus, Brian Satterfield and long time Copper Basin announcer Jackie Russell at the coin toss. The Rebels turned to Ron Harbin to lead the troops while the Scott Garren paced the Cougars’ pack.
The game was a fundraiser for each community with money being allocated to both the youth and high school football programs; as well as chance to renew an old, once bitter rivalry. Coach Harbin spoke about the fundraising aspect as well as the rivalry and the loss of it.
“I came back to help promote football and possibly (add) some money in the coffers for the athletic department because it’s awfully hard (in) these days and times.”
He also said,
“ I just know the rivalry that you know had existed in the past; always wanted to play tried like crazy to get schedules worked out; and through some hard feelings and bad things, one thing or another. Sometimes grown people hold grudges that they’d get upset with kids for holding.”
Basin Cougar, John Montgomery (Class of 77), spoke about raising money for the youth program, as well as the appeal of playing high school football again.
“The charitable aspect had a whole lot to do with it. The proceeds from our end are going to help the little league football program up there, which is the feeder program for the high school. Getting to put on the pads was a pretty good motivator, to see if you can still contribute; see if the body is as strong as the mind thinks it is.”
After much consternation and anticipation from both teams and their respective fan bases the festivities began with the Rebels attempting an opening kickoff onside kick. The Cougars recovered, giving the Basin offense excellent field position at its own 49 yard line.
The Basin offense took to the air for the first play against Fannin’s defense; however a pass break up by Gregory McHan forced a second and 10. Basin’s Brandon Jones raced 11 yards on the next play for a first down on the Fannin 40.
The Cougars kept to the ground game eventually setting up a fourth and one on the Fannin 30; however a fumble on fourth down forced Fannin’s offense on to the field. With 6:42 left in the first quarter, the Rebels took over on the Fannin 32 yard line.
The Rebels ran first, with a pitch to Josh Bowers; however, Basin’s Coy Ward stopped him short for no gain. Two carries from T.J. Dickey gave Fannin its first first down.
Following the first down, the Fannin offense began to backwards, as a holding call produced a first and 22. A sack by Dustin Chance gave the Rebels offense little chance of securing a first down. Eventually the Rebels punted; however the Rebels changed the field position with a punt that traveled all the way to the Basin 10. The Cougars took over on the Basin 20.
On second down and seven, from the Basin 23, the first touchdown was scored, via a 24 yard fumble return by Fannin’s Alex Miller. After a failed two point conversion, the Rebels led 6-0 with 2:04 left in the first quarter.
The Cougar’s offense went three and out and punted back to the Rebels. The Basin defense later produced one of the more entertaining turnovers of the night.
Following a 26 yard reverse from Joe Travis, the Rebels held the ball on the Basin 40; however three plays later, Robert Cody’s fumble was scooped up by a Basin player who promptly fumbled it. Eventually Copper Basin ended up with possession after Carlton Patterson recovered the ball for good.
The defenses continued to rule the rest of the first half as neither team scored again, allowing Fannin to take a 6-0 lead into half time.
The Rebels did manage to drive down to the Copper Basin seven yard line with 26.7 seconds left; however on third and goal, Jordan Garren picked off William Godfrey keeping the Rebels out of the end zone.
The Fannin offense began the second half from its own 27. On third and 11, Travis hauled in a pass and raced 4 yards to the Basin 48. On the next play the Cougars clawed out a fumble and took over first and ten on the Fannin 48.
Two plays later Patterson raced 25 yards, on a quarterback keeper, setting up first and ten on the Fannin 22. However the Rebels’ defense held, forcing an incomplete on fourth down to take the ball back with 1:52 left in the third quarter.
The Rebels eventually punted, and the quarter came to an end with Fannin still nursing a 6-0 lead. That changed with Travis’ nine yard touchdown reception, with 8:38 left in the game. Fannin led 12-0 after another failed two point conversion attempt.
Following a personal foul on Fannin for a body slamming the return man, Joe Loudermilk, the Cougars offense took the field on its own 40. However an interception by McHan gave the Rebels possession at the 50 with 7:16 left in the game.
The Rebels ran off two minutes and 17 seconds before punting back to the Cougars. However, the Basin offensive drove the ball -7 yards following a sack, a fumble, and a run for no gain, and had to punt back to the Rebels with 2:12 left in the game.
The Rebels drove 49 yards and ran a minute and 36 second off the clock, scoring on a six yard quarterback keeper by Godfrey to take an 18-0 lead with 34 seconds left.
The Cougars ran the clock out and the Rebels took the first game, 18-0, in the annual Alumni Football Game.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Fannin Pre-Game Interview
Basin Pre-Game Interview