Nichols Picks Up First Win As Fannin Dominates 2026 Border War

 

Fannin Claims 30-2 Border War Victory

 

 

 

The 2026 edition of “The Border War” between Fannin County and Union County featured plenty of storylines leading up to Friday night’s contest.

 

The all-time series was tied at 17 victories apiece entering the 35th meeting between the two rivals. The game also marked David Nichols’ debut as Fannin County’s head coach.

 

Fannin, a Class 2A program, opened a difficult non-region gauntlet against four schools from higher classifications: Class 3A Union County, followed by Class 4A opponents Gilmer, Pickens and White County.

 

The Rowdy Rebels proved Friday night that classification and school size would not prevent them from standing their ground. Nichols joined team captains Nate O’Neal, Isaiah Stephens, Issac Watkins and Bryson Cole at midfield for the coin toss.

 

Union won the toss and elected to receive.

 

Ryan Preston and Landon Isley immediately set the tone with two big hits on the opening kickoff. Senior captain Isaiah Stephens made the tackle on Union’s first offensive snap, and Reid Holloway brought down the ball carrier on the next play.

 

Chetley Cox then entered at quarterback for Union and connected with Jax Dillinger for a first down. Following a bad snap, Cole, Casen Bailey and Luke Nichols corralled Cox for a significant loss. On third down, Cox completed a pass to Mikey Davis, but Bailey stopped him for another loss.

 

A roughing-the-punter penalty gave Union new life, but the Panthers’ drive eventually stalled. From there, the defenses took over, and the two teams entered halftime locked in a scoreless tie.

 

Fannin came out of the locker room and left no doubt in the second half.

 

Tristan Bernier nearly broke the second-half kickoff for a touchdown before being tripped up near Fannin’s 40-yard line.

 

With 10:15 remaining in the third quarter, Cannon Holloway opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown, giving the Rebels a 7-0 lead.

 

Fannin never looked back.

 

Anthony Mubanda followed with an excellent kickoff that pinned the Panthers at their own 13-yard line. Union quarterback Joe Moses completed a pass to Mikey Davis for a first down, but defensive plays by Bailey, Garrison Ensley and Brody Burnette helped bring the drive to an end.

 

One of North Georgia’s most talked-about duos connected for the first time this season on Fannin’s next scoring play. Holloway found O’Neal for a 33-yard touchdown, extending the Rebels’ lead to 14-0 with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter.

 

Mubanda continued his stellar night by sending the ensuing kickoff through the end zone for a touchback.

 

Union attempted to establish its running game with Chris Kraft, but Watkins met him for no gain on first down. On third down, Jacob Hendrickson and Cole appeared to force a fumble. Nichols was the first player on the scene to recover it, but the officials had already blown the play dead.

 

Union’s Grant Smith then boomed a 56-yard punt that was downed by All-State selection Sir Zion Thompson.

 

On Fannin’s next play from scrimmage, Cole broke loose for an 83-yard run. Thompson chased him down just short of the end zone, but Bernier finished the drive with a rushing touchdown. Mubanda’s PAT gave Fannin a 21-0 lead with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter.

 

Mubanda delivered another touchback, and the Fannin defense went back to work.

 

Watkins recorded a tackle for loss on first down. Ensley and Nichols helped break up a pass on second down, while senior Brayden Walker was in coverage on an incomplete third-down pass intended for Sean Rosa.

 

On fourth down, a high snap sailed through the end zone for a safety, increasing Fannin’s advantage to 23-0 with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter.

 

The Rebels struck once more before the quarter ended. With eight seconds remaining, Holloway connected with Bernier for another touchdown, giving Fannin a commanding 30-0 lead.

 

Most predictions favored Union County entering the week. Almost no one predicted that Fannin would force a running clock in the fourth quarter.

 

With the clock moving continuously, the final quarter passed quickly. Fannin emptied its bench at several positions and gave some of its younger players an opportunity to take the field.

 

Quarterback Brax Newton opened the fourth quarter with a strong second-down run. A low snap on the following play resulted in a significant loss and forced the Rebels to punt.

 

Burnette later intercepted a Union pass at Fannin’s 1-yard line with 2:45 remaining. The Panthers eventually recorded a safety for their only points of the night, making the final score 30-2.

 

The victory delivered two major accomplishments for Fannin County. The Rebels took an 18-17 lead in the all-time Border War series, and Nichols earned his first career victory as Fannin’s head coach.

 

Most computer rankings projected Fannin to lose the matchup. The Rebels’ performance was a tremendous testament to the coaching staff’s preparation and the players’ ability to block out the outside noise and remain focused on the task at hand.

 

Next up, Fannin County (1-0) travels to Gilmer County (1-0) for another rivalry game against a higher-classification opponent. Union County (0-1) will travel to face White County (1-0).