Rebels Off to 1-0-1 Start

The Fannin County High School varsity Rebels soccer team has started off the 2016 season with a win and a tie.

After picking up a 5-2 preseason scrimmage victory over the Murray County High School Indians, the Rebels officially kicked off the season Feb. 12, on the road at Union County. Brandon Carranza secured a goal in the first half for Fannin, before Union tied the game 1-1 with a goal in the second half. When regulation ended and the score was still in a deadlock, both coaches elected to end the game in a 1-1 tie.

Dylan Frank recorded eight saves for FCHS against Union.

The Rebels then traveled to Cleveland Feb. 18 to face the White County Warriors. After the Warriors put up an early 2-0 lead, Taylor Cheek got Fannin on the scoreboard with a penalty kick that cut the White County lead in half. Adam Ingram then tied the game with a goal that sent the game into halftime, tied 2-2.

Off an assist from Bryan Carranza, Paul Tipton put Fannin out front 3-2 with the first goal of the second half. The Warriors went on to tie the game, before Max Senoff punched the ball into the net off a Carranza assist to give the Rebels a 4-3 advantage. White County failed to respond, giving Fannin the victory.

“I am really excited about this win for our team,” head Fannin coach Bubba Gibbs said. “This team is starting to come together and believe in themselves. We have a great opportunity in front of us to have a very good season this year.”

Frank racked up 14 saves against White County.

JV begin season 2-1

The JV Rebels have started the 2016 campaign 2-1. In the season opener at Gilmer Feb. 8, Fannin emerged with a 4-3 victory. Senoff had a hat trick in the game, while Gavin Mervine also added a goal. Carranza assisted in two of the four goals.

The only loss of the season thus far came against Union Feb. 16, where the Panthers picked up a 5-1 win. Jonathan Head scored the lone Fannin goal in the game off an assist from Joe Satchell.

One day after the varsity bested White County on the road, the JV welcomed the Warriors and picked up a 3-2 victory in the process. Head secured a first half goal off an assist from Grant Willis. Although White County tied the game 1-1 before halftime, Fannin recovered in the second half as Tipton and Ingram scored to give the Rebels some breathing room. The Warriors score a goal late in the contest, but were unable to tie the match before the clock ran out.