The Rebels Season comes to a Bitter End

The Fannin Rebels season has came to an end, but not after having a tremendous season. Some would argue that for several reasons, but the thing is they closed the gap between the teams that ran away from them last year and beat the teams that were closer games last year. Statistically speaking everything was in place for a 8-1, 5-1 season. But, things just didn’t click in a few games and here we are, waiting for next season. Does that mean this was not a successful season, not at all. Remember, this is a junior laden team and although the Rebels will be losing some key role players; Petty, Roper, Archie to name a few. This team is primarily driven by juniors, eighteen to be exact.

The Rebels found themselves again facing the Franklin Lions in a do or die position for the playoffs. Again, the game was decide in the fourth quarter and Franklin found away to win. Both teams played very well, defense was the key for both teams. Offensively neither team was very spectacular, but did mange to get some big plays for scores.

Fannin was able to hold Franklin on their first drive and about midway through the first quarter scored on a B. Caranza field goal, 3-0. Neither team was very productive in the scoring department in the first. However, Franklin found the end zone on a short 10-yard touchdown with about 57-seconds left in the first quarter, 7-3.

The second was a bit more productive scoring. Jack Roper was the first to score on a goal line touchdown at 10:34, increasing Fannin’s lead to, 10-7. Franklin was next to strike at the 4-minute mark on a QB keeper bringing the score to, 14-10. The Rebels, again drove the field and score with about a minute left in the half on a J. Roper 9-yard run. With the score at the half, 17-14 Rebels, it was very reminiscent of several games this year, none of which ended in Fannin’s favor.

The second half of play started out strong for the Rebels. CB Clay Ware opened the half with a 75+ yard kick-off return for a touchdown. The Rebels were up, 24-14 and looked like it had sparked some life in the Rebels. Ware was a huge part of setting up QB Brad Davis and crew the entire game. Huge gains on returns set-up the Rebels with good field positions, but the Lions defense was tough and held them on more than a few occasions where Fannin could of scored. Franklin found the end zone with 8:20 left in the third on a short pass. The score at the end of three, 24-14 Fannin.

The fourth quarter was all defense for both teams. The Rebels have had both good and bad second halves this season, but this was not one of those games. Fannin, with about 9 minutes left in the game found themselves with control and moving the ball well behind Dakota Archie and Jack Roper. Then, it happened, a turnover on a high throw from Davis to Adam Ingram. Ingram leaped up to catch it, but timing played a role and tipped it straight up and a Lion defender came down with it. This changed the whole course of the game. Franklin was able to drive the ball, both passing and rushing till they were down to the last 9 seconds of the game and one final chance to secure their spot in the playoffs. With a short pass to the back of the end zone, Franklin managed to stave off Fannin and win, 28-24.

Franklin vs Fannin Stats

Fannin Highlights Video

Rebel Wrap-Up Junior Edition