Fannin JV Football Falls to Gilmer 35-12

The Fannin Rebel JV team traveled to Gilmer County to take on the Bobcats of Gilmer High School on September 26. The JV team took the field with a mission, surely hoping to get payback for the loss Gilmer handed the varsity team to start the year; however, the home team routed the Rebels 35-12.The game got underway with Fannin receiving the opening kickoff. The Rebels returned the ball to the Fannin 32-yard line. The Rebels got things started with a ten yard completion, and then another five yards. A Rebel penalty slowed things down though, as the offense gained no additional yards. The punt team took the field, but a low snap kept the punter from doing his job. The Rebels turned the ball over on downs.

Gilmer had a short field to work with thanks to the turnover. The Rebel defense did its best to walk away with no damage, but Gilmer’s option attack found holes as the Bobcats scored a seven yard touchdown. With 4:27 left in the first quarter, the Rebels trailed 7-0.

The Rebels looked to get things going on its next drive. A crisis was averted when Fannin fell on its own fumble. On the very next play, the Rebels completed an eleven yard pass to move the chains. Nothing further would happen though, as Fannin went for it on fourth down and were unsuccessful.

After Gilmer was able to quickly score again, the Fannin found itself down 15-0. Fannin threw a screen pass that went for 45 yards and put the offense in the red zone. Things were looking good for the Rebel offense until the ball was fumbled on the Gilmer 8-yard line. This turnover proved costly, as the Bobcats were able to turn it into another score.

More of the same unfortunate plays happened on Fannin’s next drive. After a long pass play that nearly broke for a touchdown, the Bobcats intercepted the next play. Just as the other turnovers did, this one led to a Gilmer touchdown. Fannin was trailing at the half 29-0.

Gilmer started on offense in the second half. The option attack proved tricky for the Rebel defense. Each play for the Cats would pick up chunks of yardage. The Gilmer offense was able to drive down the field and score again, but the Rebels would hold the Bobcats out of the end zone for the remainder of the game.

Fannin picked up touchdowns on each of its next two possessions. Both came on well executed passes of 57 yards and 20 yards. The Rebels elected to go for two on each score, and failed to convert either of them. With neither team able to move the ball in the game’s final minutes, the Rebels lost the game with a final score of 35-12.