Gilmer, Fannin Soccer Add Installment to 515 Rivalry

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Although the two schools are no longer in the same region, Gilmer High School traveled to Fannin County High School last Friday to meet in a soccer match for Highway 515 bragging rights.

While the action on the field was intense, the final outcomes proved that the rivalry is as hot as ever, in spite of the cold weather in Blue Ridge.

The Lady Rebels picked up a 1-0 victory over the Lady Cats, while the Bobcats and Rebels finished the night in a 1-1 deadlock.

Girls

The lone goal of the girls contest came just six and a half minutes into the match, as Maddie Crain punched the ball across the goal line for Fannin. Although the Lady Cats took several shots throughout the duration of the contest, they were unable to find the goal and dropped the match.

“It was a great win for us,” said head Lady Rebels coach Chris Thigpen. “We’ve struggled the last couple of games and haven’t been able to put any points on the board. So, to get that one goal was great. The defense was solid, as always. If we get a little more production up front, I think we can fare well in the region.”

Briana McClure had 19 saves for Gilmer, while Savannah Vanderhoven recorded two for Fannin.

Boys

Rebel Brandon Carranza dribbles toward the goal last Friday against Gilmer. Carranza assisted in the lone Fannin goal in the game, as the Rebels and the Bobcats played to a 1-1 tie. The next day, he scored the first goal in a 5-1 victory over Armuchee. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley)

The Bobcats and Rebels waited until the second half of play to secure their goals. Fannin struck first, as Gavin Mervine scored off a corner kick from Brandon Carranza with 26:40 left in the contest.

Gilmer replied with 13:12 remaining in the match, as Rodrigo Casas found the back of the net to tie the game. Neither side was able to garner another goal during regulation and with the match being a non-region affair, the contest ended in a 1-1 deadlock.

Dillan Ledford had five saves for the Bobcats, while Christian Hernandez finished the game with three. Dylan Frank finished the match with 10 saves for Fannin.

Bobcats best Indians

Lady Cat Josie Sheahan looks to free the ball from heavy Lady Rebels pressure last Friday. Against Murray County one day prior, she scored the fifth and final goal in a 5-0 Gilmer victory over the Lady Indians. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley).

One day prior to the Fannin contest, Gilmer traveled to Murray County to take on the Indians. The Lady Cats picked up a 5-0 victory, after goals from Autumn Durham (one of which was off an assist from a Tori Jack corner kick), Kate Schiesser, Josie Sheahan and Candy Bautista.

“Coach Fountain and I were extremely impressed with the girl’s performance,” said Lady Cats head coach April Nicholson. “Their passing game was solid, maybe the best they’ve played in four years. From the beginning, we went out aggressive and resolute. Their determination paid off.”

Meanwhile, the Bobcats garnered a 1-0 victory over the Indians. John Bremm scored the lone goal of the contest in the second half, to give Gilmer the win.

“I was very pleased with the speed of our game, both in defense and offense,” Phipps said. “We are improving by the game, which considering we have some very tough games coming up, is a good thing.”

Fannin downs Armuchee, Dawson

The Rebels returned to the turf to host Armuchee last Saturday, picking up a 5-1 victory in the process. Carranza, Adam Ingram, Santos Arellano, Dahla Myers and Max Senoff (off an Arellano assist) scored the goals for Fannin. Frank recorded seven saves in the match.

In JV action last Wednesday, the Rebels secured a 3-1 victory on the road against the Dawson Tigers. Myers, Mervine and Eric Quoc scored one goal apiece in the victory.

At goalkeeper, Austin Bennett had seven saves and Reid Honeycutt stopped three shots.

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